Louisiana Legislative Auditor
Daryl G. Purpera, CPA, CFE

Office of State Inspector General
Stephen B. Street, Jr., CIG

February 1, 2016

Joint Investigation of Veterans Affairs Finds Problems with Use of Money, Hiring Practices, Reporting of Potential Crimes

A joint investigation into the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA) by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor and the Office of State Inspector General (OIG) found improper use of funds, improperly documented work and travel, and a failure to inform authorities about potential crimes involving residents at three War Veteran Homes.

The investigation began after the OIG and state auditor received complaints about actions occurring under the tenure of former Veterans Affairs Secretary David LaCerte.

In a report released today, the LDVA paid $44,128 to a company owned by law school classmates of Mr. LaCerte for improperly documented work without having a contract, in violation of state law. The department also spent $27,560 in federal money to buy a Ford Expedition for the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery that instead was used exclusively by headquarters staff. The audit found as well that LDVA employees received $19,414 in improperly authorized, advanced and/or reimbursed travel expenses.

Further, an employee’s theft of a resident’s funds was not reported to law enforcement or the resident’s family, while medical documents related to the death of a different resident were falsified, and the family never informed. The OIG is continuing to investigate these matters.

The audit also found that former Secretary LaCerte engaged in questionable organizational, hiring, and pay practices, and the department did not properly budget parish Veteran Service Office operations, which means some parishes were paying too much for services, while others were not paying enough.

Finally, the audit disclosed that former Secretary LaCerte’s military service record did not match the military service cited in his biography posted on the LDVA website.

In their responses to the audit, both Interim Secretary Thomas Enright and newly-appointed Secretary Joey Strickland agreed with the findings and said they have taken steps to correct the problems. In a separate response, former Secretary LaCerte’s attorney denounced the report’s findings as blatantly false.

For more information contact:

Legislative Auditor
225.339.3800



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Office of the Louisiana Legislative Auditor | www.LLA.La.gov