Sound Off Louisiana

Louisiana State Trooper Scott Lopez, appearing before the St. Martin Parish Government Planning and Zoning Committee on Thursday, January 6, 2022.

Everyone will recall that we published this feature entailing a complaint filed by farmer Billy Broussard against LSP Trooper Scott Lopez on November 21, 2021.

On Monday, January 24, 2022, Broussard filed a second complaint against Lopez in which he alleges that Lopez repeatedly falsely accused him of illegal acts at a public meeting of the St. Martin Parish Government Planning and Zoning Committee on Thursday, January 6, 2022.

We were at that meeting, and we videotaped Lopez’s remarks to the Committee, and we’re prepared to present his performance at this time:

1/6/22 meeting of the St. Martin Parish Government Planning and Zoning Committee during which Broussard alleges Lopez repeatedly falsely accused him of “illegal acts.”

Let us emphasize the conclusion of Broussard’s second complaint:

I want to conclude this complaint by stating that, on July 8, 2021, the Louisiana State Police Commission considered the appeal of Trooper William R. Woodward Ill after he was suspended for 24 hours for sending out a tweet of, “what county (sic) in Africa are you from?” Col. Lamar Davis testified at that meeting, upon being questioned by Trooper Woodward as to whether Davis knew if Woodward was “on or off duty,” and Col. Davis responded that, “according to policy is (sic) does not matter.” Col. Davis clearly felt that tweet constituted conduct unbecoming of a Louisiana State Police Trooper, and I submit that Trooper Lopez’s actions of January 6, 2022 are even more egregious than those of Trooper Woodward because his actions were at a public meeting at which EVERYONE in the room knew who he is and the position he holds and further because his commentary was directed at a private citizen (me).

The reference Broussard makes to Col. Davis indicating that LSP Policy doesn’t distinguish between being on-duty or off-duty when it concerns acts to be evaluated for conduct unbecoming can be heard in this brief 25-second audio clip:

7/8/21:  LSP Col. Lamar Davis states that, when it comes to conduct unbecoming, it matters not whether a trooper is on-duty or off-duty.

The above audio clip by LSP Col. Davis would seem to render moot Lopez’s declaration at the 15:22 mark of the video above wherein he indicates, “Just for the record, I’m here as a concerned resident.  Thank you.” Apparently, Lopez felt that simple disclosure permitted him to do and say anything he wanted at that meeting, and it will be interesting to see if LSP “has his back” in that regard or whether he faces discipline entailing this second complaint Broussard has now filed against him.

Finally, Broussard testified before the Louisiana Senate Select Committee on LSP Oversight at its meeting of Monday, January 24, 2022, and he obtained the strong and emphatic support of Senator Gerald Boudreaux (D-Lafayette) as evidenced by the following short video of Broussard’s testimony:

Broussard testifies before LSP Senate Oversight Committee on Monday, January 24, 2022.

Sen. Foil invited Broussard to supply his one-page testimony about Trooper Lopez to the Committee members, and Broussard opted to do so.  Anyone is welcome to read Broussard’s planned testimony provided to the Committee members by CLICKING HERE.

As always, we will continue to follow developments and alert our subscribers and site visitors as further developments unfold.

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Former Louisiana State Police Trooper Carl Cavalier

We want to begin this feature by stating that we have experienced an increase in subscribership in the last 30 days that exceeds that of any other similar timeframe since this blog was formed in mid 2015.  We want to welcome all of our new subscribers, and we hope you’ll find our features to be intriguing.

For the benefit of the newer subscribers, we first  revealed on June 10, 2021 the fact that former Louisiana State Police (LSP) Trooper Carl Cavalier authored a book entitled “Nigger with a badge”.  We intentionally didn’t place the spotlight on Cavalier’s book because, at that point, it was not in distribution and sources indicated that LSP upper brass was determined to ascertain who wrote the book.  From that feature:

5.  (New revelation by Sound Off Louisiana).  Several LSP sources have informed us that LSP’s upper brass is not pleased at all with the upcoming release of a book entitled, “Nigger with a badge.”  We have already pre-ordered a copy.  Sources tell us that LSP is suspicious that an active trooper wrote the book and that LSP is “going after him” as a result.  We’ll certainly report on the book’s contents upon our own reading of it.

Thereafter, Cavalier did what no other trooper has ever done in being willing to go public in letting everyone know that he was the source providing much of the material to the press entailing the obvious cover-up by LSP entailing the death of Ronald Greene.  Let’s take just a quick peek at a 24-second segment of a January 12, 2022 feature by WBRZ investigative reporter Chris Nakamoto entailing the interactions between Cavalier and the lead investigator of the Greene arrest, Albert Paxton (who recently retired from LSP in frustration at LSP’s targeting of him and Cavalier):

24-second segment of a January 12, 2022 feature by WBRZ investigative reporter Chris Nakamoto.

In our October 13, 2021 feature on Cavalier, we indicated that Cavalier’s appeal of LSP Col. Lamar Davis’ decision to terminate him should necessitate a different venue for his appeal hearing.  We fully expect tons of media representatives to be present for that appeal hearing.  We also revealed the fact that Cavalier filed this pro se lawsuit against LSP on September 20, 2021.  We want to devote the remainder of this post to updating our subscribers on the activity in that suit since its filing:

1.  November 10, 2021:  LSP files this motion to transfer the litigation to Federal Court for the Middle District of Louisiana.

2.  December 9, 2021:  Attorney Jill Craft files this Motion to Enroll as Cavalier’s Counsel.

3.  December 31, 2021:  LSP files this motion to dismiss Cavalier’s claim.  From the motion:

Plaintiff, Carl Cavalier (“Plaintiff”), claims that during his employment with the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections (Office of State Police) (hereafter referred to as “DPSC/LSP”), he was transferred, harassed, suspended and demoted because of his race and whistleblowing activities.

Prior to removal to federal court, Plaintiff filed an amended petition in which he added a First Amendment retaliation claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

Plaintiff did not satisfy the service requirements for DPSC/LSP under LSA-R.S. 39:1538(D) within the time delays provided for in FED.R.CIV.P. 4(m) and therefore, this Court may lack jurisdiction over DPSC/LSP.  Moreover, Plaintiff fails to state claims under Sections 1981 and 1983. Consequently, his claims against DPSC/LSP should be dismissed.

4.  January 13, 2022:  Craft files this status report on Cavalier’s litigation.  From the report:

Although plaintiff alleges he timely filed Charge of Discrimination regarding his claims for Title VII retaliation against defendant DPSC, he has not yet received his Notice of Right to Sue and, accordingly, reserves his right to pursue that claim at a later time.

Mr. Cavalier contends he is a whistle-blower and, as a result, was harassed, punished, suspended, and as of this writing, now terminated from his employment. Mr. Cavalier contends he reported, opposed, and complained about, including writing a book, unlawful discrimination under Louisiana law in the workplace, illegal use of force, and cover up of unlawful activity, including as it relates to the death of Ronald Greene. Mr. Cavalier also exercised his right of 1st Amendment speech by speaking to the media and speaking critically about these matters of prominent public concern. He contends as a result of his protected activities, he was subjected to 1st Amendment retaliation by defendant Davis and for which he seeks relief against defendant Davis under 42 U.S.C. §1983. He contends he was subjected to unlawful reprisal, in violation of La. R.S. 23:967, by his employer, DPSC for which he sues defendant DPSC herein.

DPSC/LSP maintains that there were legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons for Cavalier’s release from employment and specifically denies that Plaintiff was subjected to adverse employment action due to his race or in retaliation for “whistleblower” activities. Furthermore, all disciplinary actions were warranted due to the Plaintiff’s violation of DPSC/LSP policy and procedures.

It certainly appears the chaos at LSP is destined to continue for quite some time to come!

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Louisiana State Police Lt. Colonel and Chief of Staff Doug Cain

On Wednesday, January 12, 2022, WBRZ’s investigative reporter Chris Nakamoto aired perhaps the biggest bombshell feature  to date on the very obvious cover-up LSP engaged in entailing the death of Ronald Greene.  Let’s take a look:

1/12/22 Nakamoto feature.

Given the damning material presented by Nakamoto entailing LSP Lt. Col. and Chief of Staff, Doug Cain, we can only ask just how bad it looks for Sen. Franklin Foil (R-Baton Rouge) to shut down the commentary of Carl Brown regarding Cain.  Brown’s testimony, which slammed Doug Cain, was assessed by Sen. Foil, who is the Chairman of a Senate Oversight Committee on LSP, as being “too personal.”

Foil also stressed that Brown should confine his testimony to facts!  We can only assume Foil felt Brown was not being factual in his testimony!  Perhaps, however, Brown, or at least his sources of information, simply know much more than Foil!

At any rate, given the Nakamoto feature above, Foil may want to reassess his shutdown and condemnation of Brown.  Here is that brief video for everyone’s review regarding Foil’s shutdown:

12/16/21:  Sen. Franklin Foil (R-Baton Rouge) shuts down Carl Brown’s commentary on LSP Chief of Staff Doug Cain.

For that matter, given Nakamoto’s bombshell feature above, which lays bare the magnitude of the LSP cover-up of Greene’s death, just how bad does the following commentary on the part of Gov. John Bel Edwards look?:

9/15/21:  Gov. Edwards’ interview downplaying any potential LSP cover-up entailing Ronald Greene’s death.  His comments were first reported upon by the Louisiana Illuminator after that publication heard them on Radio talk show host Jim Engster’s 9/15/21 “Ask the Governor” feature.

Perhaps Gov. Edwards may wish to evaluate whether all the talk of an LSP  cover-up is really just “media hype!”

If you would like to be added to our Sound Off Louisiana email list to be notified of future posts, simply go to our home page and scroll to the bottom (mobile devices) or to the top of the right-hand column (desktops).  Supply your email address within the subscribe box.  You’ll then receive an automated email from Word Press, and all you have to do is click on the blue “confirm follow” bar contained within that email, and you’ll begin receiving great posts such as the preceding one above.