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Port Allen city employee under investigation for possibly misappropriating funds
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PORT ALLEN - An employee at City Hall is under investigation this morning over allegations she misappropriated funds.
The employee has not been with the city for very long.
"Right now we are determining the facts of the allegations," Mayor Richard Lee said. "We are trying to determine if it was negligent or criminal."
Lee said either way the employee will likely face disciplinary action. She is not handling the duties she was hired for currently, according to Lee. She's been placed in a different capacity as this investigation goes on. Lee said he was first alerted about the problem before Christmas. In the new year, an investigation was launched. We're told the employee was moved into a different position over the past week.
"Once I get the info I need to determine that an incident took place, I will take the necessary action to resolve this," Lee said. "I can gurantee them that."
The employee was hired by former Mayor Deedy Slaughter, according to multiple sources. Slaughter was the first ever public official to be recalled in West Baton Rouge Parish after a majority of voters had enough. Her year long reign as Mayor made the city the focus of jokes. The WBRZ Investigative Unit broke the stories in Port Allen which ultimately led to Slaughter's recall.
Some are questioning why the employee was not placed on paid leave until the investigation is completed. Port Allen Councilman Garry Hubble believes the employee has not business in the building.
"I get concerned with anybody who has any type of availability to any city finances," Hubble said. "With this cloud hanging over them, I'm not comfortable with that and I don't think the citizens should be comfortable with that."
The WBRZ Investigative Unit knows the name of the employee, but we have decided not to release it until the investigation is complete.
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