BOGALUSA, La. — In a letter sent to Bogalusa Mayor Tyrin Truong, the state legislative auditor says Bogalusa is out of compliance with state audit laws.
“Now they’re on the what’s called the non-compliance list,” said Louisiana Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack. “In fact, they are the only city in the state of Louisiana, as we sit here today, that’s on the non-compliant list.”
Waguespack says non-compliance means no state money, grants, or federal dollars can legally flow into Bogalusa. That much-needed money usually goes to things like infrastructure projects, recreation, and law enforcement support.
"A lot of cities throughout the United States need those supplemental funds,” said Waguespack.
Right now, Bogalusa has not turned in its 2022 audited financial statement. That was due in June of 2023. Even though Truong didn’t take office until January of 2023, Waguespack says it’s still his responsibility.
“I met with the mayor and said, ‘Look, mayor, we can blame a lot of things on the prior administration but it’s yours now and it’s yours to fix,’” said Waguespack.
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In a written response, Mayor Truong says the previous administration didn’t allow for a proper transition. Mayor Truong alleges computers were wiped and documents were destroyed before he took office. He also says he’s working to get financial statements completed.
“It should have been done,” said former city hall employee Chastan Bickham.
Bickham was the assistant director of administration for the previous mayor, Wendy Perrette. She says she was willing to help with the transition but wasn’t allowed to by the Troung administration.
“Now we are in non-compliance with the L.L.A. We cannot receive grant funds. Nobody knows what our current financial situation is,” said Bickham. “It’s scary for our citizens. Our citizens are being put at risk for public health, safety.”
This comes as the mayor finds himself battling against the city council over a spending freeze. The council decided to stop all spending. The mayor vetoed it. That’s after councilwoman Penny Douglas got into an argument with the mayor during a recent city council meeting.
“I’ve a double barrel shotgun and both my barrels are loaded,” said Douglas during last week’s meeting.
