JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — Federal investigators are apparently leaving no stone unturned in the sprawling investigation into former Jefferson Parish Councilman Chris Roberts' financial dealings.
Emails obtained by the New Orleans Advocate show FBI Agent Lisa Horner approached parish officials in March seeking detailed records on two West bank properties.
Horner, a veteran public corruption investigator, requested nearly five years' worth of documents related to a house at 4532 13th St. in Marrero and a commercial building at 865 Terry Parkway in Terrytown.
Horner asked for all "activity summaries, complaints, citations, notices, photographs, site visit observations and documentations, internal and external emails, attachments, correspondence, tracking logs and notes" between January 2013 and June 5, 2017, according to the emails.
"The FBI looks like in recent months they have tried to establish a relationship between (Roberts) financial problems and his duties and responsibilities as a parish councilman.," WWL-TV Legal Analyst Chick Foret said.
In the case of the Marrero house, Roberts apparently asked parish officials to delay a planned demolition in 2016.
Documents suggest the FBI may have been trying to determine whether all of Roberts dealings with the owner of that home were proper.
The man who owns the lawnmower store located at the Terry Parkway address told The Advocate that the only interactions he ever had with Roberts were when the former councilman managed a business called Dan's Landscaping.
Finances from Dan's Landscaping were reportedly investigated by agents looking into Roberts.
According to the paper, multiple sources who know Roberts portrayed him as an avid gambler who favors slot and video poker machines with high limits.
"There's been a lot of talk recently in the last few days about perhaps some gambling activities, perhaps he's a problem gambler," Foret said.
Roberts' attorney Eddie Castaing told WWL-TV, however, the case against his client is "only tax related" and "has nothing to do with his former public office."
Roberts has not been charged with any crimes and whether he decides to accept a plea deal remains to be seen.
Three nominees are now vying to fill Roberts' vacancy on the Jefferson Parish Council.
Councilman Ricky Templet nominated former parish COO Keith Conley for the job.
Councilman Dominick Impastato recommended Metairie businessman Larry Katz.
Councilwoman Jennifer Van Vrancken nominated Lisa Jennings from the West Bank Business and Industrial Association.
They now have until next Tuesday to submit their resume, statement of qualifications and letters of reference.
The nomination process comes after Roberts abruptly resigned on Monday.