Louisiana AG Landry Investigates Bossier City Council— Complain Alleges Open Meetings Violation
A letter to the Bossier City Council from Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has revealed that the AG’s office is investigating a complaint alleging the Council violated the Louisiana Open Meetings Law during its September 5, 2023 meeting.
AG Landry has ordered the City to respond to the complaint with his office by no later than September 29th to assist with their inquiry into the matter,
According to the complaint obtained by Settle Talk, it was alleged that the Bossier Council:
Violated La. R.S. 42:14(D) at the September 5, 2023 meeting when a member of the Republic was threatened with arrest while giving public comment. It was further alleged that the member of the public was instructed that he could not mention members of the council or their actions, limiting his public comment.
Violated La. R.S. 42:14(A) when a five-member quorum of the Council, met to discuss and/or deliberate in private, outside the view of the public shortly before the September 5. 2023 meeting, about the removal of the Mayor’s agenda item from the September 5, 2023 agenda.
Violated La. R.S. 42:14(A) and (B) when a four-member quorum of the Council met to discuss and/or deliberate in private, outside the view of the public shortly after the September 5, 2023 meeting, about changing the rules governing public comment. It was also alleged that Councilman Montgomery polled votes to ensure future passage of the change.
The complaint appears to be consistent with recordings obtained by Bossier Watch and independently provided to AGR as well and reported on Sep. 8th.
KTAL News reported that a resolution was introduced by Bossier City Mayor Thomas Chandler to remove the discussion regarding term limits from the agenda Tuesday. It read,
“A resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in the City of Bossier City, State of Louisiana, to vote upon the adoption of amendments to the current City Charter of the City of Bossier City; making application to the State Bond Commission and providing for other matters in connection therewith.”