Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology (LSBC) Executive Director Erin Marceaux announces on December 1, 2025 the arrival of body worn cameras to be worn by inspectors after training as the Board attempts to get a handle on highly abusive treatment being alleged by numerous salon owners having transpired by LSBC inspectors throughout Louisiana.
On August 27, 2025, we reported that considerable anger arose among licensed cosmetologists over Gov. Landry’s signing into law a 40 percent license fee increase. That feature also highlighted $200 in cash money mysteriously left for an inspector with the notation of “thank you.”
Almost without fail, all of the correspondence we received regarding anger at Gov. Jeff Landry was that he’d just given the LSBC a massive amount of money to hire even more inspectors to, as one source stated to us, “harass the hell out of us as if they aren’t already doing enough of that!”
The new LSBC Members, to their credit, sought to attempt to allay some of the fears of inspector harassment by promising to implement the use of body cameras for all inspectors. On December 1, 2025, newly-named LSBC Executive Director Erin Marceaux took a minute to openly tout the arrival of the body worn cameras on Wednesday, November 27, 2025:
12/1/25: Marceaux states how excited everyone is over the arrival of the body worn cameras and that full training will take place in the near future.
At the February 2, 2026 LSBC meeting, Marceaux takes 45 seconds to update the Members on how “wonderfully” the body cameras have been working for her and her staff:
2/2/26: Marceaux conveys the excitement of she and her staff over the implementation of the body cameras.
During the weekend of April 18-19, a continuing education seminar was held for cosmetology instructors (none is required for cosmetologists). Rev. Freddie Lee Phillips, Jr., the subject of our most recent feature, informed us that considerable concern had been raised about two issues by folk in attendance at the seminar. Accordingly, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, we sent a general email to Marceaux asking about #1) the removal of finger curls from the practical portion of the exam for licensure, and #2) word that body cameras had been suspended.
One of these days we’re going to get around to a feature about upheaval about the removal of the finger curls, but today’s focus is obviously on the suspension of the use of the body cameras.
Marceaux responded mere hours after our inquiry:
I am in receipt of your concerns. Is this a public records request? Just wanted clarity since you are intending to publish.
Realizing that we’d obviously uncovered a hot button item, we responded hours after Marceaux’s inquiry of us:
No, it is not a public records request, and I am merely affording you the opportunity to comment if you are so inclined.
Becoming obvious that this was going to be a game of cat and mouse, Marceaux responded:
The use of body cameras has been suspended at this time.
That prompted Burns to make a formal public records request for all emails either received from or sent to anyone affiliated with the LSBC regarding body cameras since the start of 2026. That’s when we hit proverbial “paydirt!”
For those who would like to read all of the emails in their entireties, feel free to do so at this link. After learning that the body cameras were ordered suspended directly by the highest authority in the State of Louisiana, Gov. Jeff Landry, Marceaux inquires of Tisha Butler and Deborah Johnson whether either of them has received complaints about the body cameras, to which they both indicate that they “have not.”
Let’s begin by providing this February 20, 2026 email from Marceaux to all of her key staffers indicating that use of body cameras by inspectors must, “cease effective immediately.”
Okay. So, on February 2, 2026, Marceaux states how “wonderful” the body cameras are, yet a mere 18 days later she informs all of her upper brass that their use must, “cease immediately.” That’s a pretty strong 180, huh?
Next, we’d like to supply this March 4, 2026 email from Reham Toom, owner of The Beaux Heaux, LLC voicing extreme frustration at LSBC inspector Edrin Brumfield. Interestingly enough, Toom is not happy at all that there’s no body camera footage of the encounter. Here’s a few highlights from Toom’s correspondence to Marceaux:
I am writing to provide a statement regarding my interaction with State Board Inspector Edrin during her inspection of my business, The Beaux Heaux LLC, on March 4, 2026.
Almost immediately, Inspector Edrin began speaking in an accusatory tone, questioning my explanations and repeatedly implying that I was lying. She accused me of having dirty bowls, which is not accurate, because I have not performed any color services.
Throughout the inspection, she asked multiple questions rapidly without allowing me to fully answer, repeatedly getting visibly upset and scolding me for casual language like “girl” and stating I must use “ma’am” or her first name. When I explained that her tone was stressing me out, she began using terms of endearment, which contradicted her previous corrections and added to my discomfort. At one point, she stated that, because I do not currently have a salon license, I would need to go before the Board for a hearing. This statement caused me significant stress and anxiety, as I felt my license could be at risk despite my explanations. I initially allowed the inspection to continue because I knew I had done nothing wrong. However, her continued accusatory tone, refusal to let me explain, and focus on the possibility of a board hearing became overwhelming. I asked her to leave, stating that I was unable to continue under these conditions as this is added stress on top of how home life has been recently, but she refused to leave immediately. I wish this inspection had included a body camera, as is normally used, so that my side of the interaction could be accurately documented. The way this inspection was conducted made me feel intimidated, stressed, and unable to communicate effectively, and I am concerned that without proper documentation, my statements could be misrepresented or disregarded.
Perhaps upon receipt of the March 4, 2026 email referenced above, LSBC Chairman Jennifer Cobb-Reed sends an email to Louisiana House Speaker Phillip DeVillier citing the “frustration” of the suspension of the body cameras and seeking to have reconsideration of Gov. Landry’s decision. Here’s highlights of that email:
From: jennifer reed <[email protected]>
Date: March 8, 2026 at 10:31:10 PM CDT
To: Phillip Devillier <Pdevillier@leg~ggy>
Subject: Inspector body camerasI hope this email finds you well, Phillip.
There has been a bit of frustration and a need for understanding and clarity regarding a situation that developed about two weeks ago. It began with a phone call to Jean Pitre, one of our board members, from Ryan Roberts, who was in Washington, D.C. with the Governor. Ryan stated that the Governor said to immediately cease operations of the body cameras that we had implemented for our inspectors during inspections of our licensees. The cameras had only been implemented approximately one month prior. The only explanation given was that the Governor had received several complaints and was tired of hearing about it.
As Chairman, neither I nor Erin Marceaux, the Executive Director of the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology, have received a formal cease and desist regarding the use of body cameras for our inspections from the Governor’s Office, nor were we provided with any report outlining complaints related to the body cameras.
Out of respect for the Governor’s Office, we temporarily ceased the use of the cameras. Our Executive Director, Erin Marceaux, also reached out to Emily Andrews for a possible explanation and clarification of what transpired, seeing that our office has not received any complaints regarding the implementation of the body cameras. Emily then asked Erin to send her a timeline and the reasons for their implementation. Erin and I composed an email, per Emily’s request, that I will share with you. We have still not received a formal response.
It is our hope that once a better line of communication is established and our efforts toward transparency and accountability are acknowledged for what they are truly intended to be, this matter can be resolved. Our goal is to move forward, with the Governor’s approval, in implementing body cameras for our inspectors during inspections of our license holders.
Your support and guidance on this matter would be greatly appreciated. I will also forward Erin’s email to Emily so you can better understand the reasoning behind the implementation of the body cameras.
Thank you in advance,
Jennifer Reed, Chairman
Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology
Notice the reference to Ryan Roberts above. Both he and John Kay are former high-ranking officials of the Landry administration; however, they have now both departed Landry’s administration and launched their own lobbying firm, Neutral Ground Solutions, LLC.
Apparently deciding that the “courtesy” afforded to Gov. Landry in “temporarily” suspending the body cameras may be far more than “temporary,” (has anyone known Landry to reverse course on any position he takes?), on April 21, 2026, Deborah Johnson sends this email to Halo seeking if a cancellation may be available in light of Gov. Landry’s decision. Johnson indicates that, “we are hopeful the Governor may reconsider,” but she states that the Board wants to know its options if Landry holds firm.
We believe we know Landry well enough that Landry will: #1) most definitely hold firm, and #2) ignore both Reed and Marceaux’s requests for a formal written Cease and Desist of the use of the body cameras. Landry is much like Trump in that regard (i.e. “You’ll do it because I said to!”).
That is the power of being Governor of the State of Louisiana, and it’s our firm opinion that Gov. Landry will remain Governor of Louisiana through early 2032 and be reelected by a landslide!
Why? Because we firmly believe that the 2027 “race” for Governor will be a repeat of the 2011 “race” entailing Gov. Jindal’s reelection.
The only difference is that Jindal’s $12 million war chest scared off any viable contender. Landry has something much more powerful than Jindal’s war chest (though Landry is going to have plenty of money available as well): he has the major overhang of the certainty of a Trump endorsement!
We firmly believe that (other potential candidates’ knowledge of the certainty of a Trump endorsement) explains why no prospective candidate is even talking about taking on Landry, and therefore the 2027 “race” for Governor will be a repeat of the 2011 “race” entailing Jindal.
Thus, though Landry may have strong negatives and low popularity (just as Jindal had), he will breeze to reelection since no other viable contender will even enter the race!
At any rate, Halos responded that, “we would need to review the official notice from the state to better understand the directive and its implications.” Both the LSBC and Halos can expect that “full official notice” about the time hell freezes over, so, in our firm opinion, they can just continue writing those $750/month checks for the full three years of that contract. Our guess is that Landry would indicate that, with a 40 percent fee increase, that Board has plenty of money (which it does) and likely admonish them to check with him the next time a “major” decision like this is undertaken. We feel certain as well that Landry does not appreciate the email to DeVillier (or, excuse us, “Phillip”) seeking to have Landry reverse course.
Because this feature is becoming a tad long, we’re going to make this a two-parter. Trust us, you’re going to want to stay tuned to the second part!
You’ll start to see material that will be mind blowing about reactions far beyond Toom’s reaction depicted above!
In fact Toom was extremely polite compared to the massive feedback regarding another LSBC inspector!
Furthermore, there is a reason our headline is so short. In the second feature, we’ll expand the headline to demonstrate just how angry many salon owners are!
I think you just may be right on Landry and going back in and I had not thought about that. One thing I do know is there’s likely to be heads to roll on all this. When the governor gives a direct order it is to be followed and unquestioned unless illegal. These people actually operated behind the scenes — and may still be doing so — trying to undermine the governor and expose him. They should have just stopped the body cameras and made up some reason why they did rather than put the governor is a bad light. Yep…….heads will roll!!!