Louisiana Legislative Auditor
Daryl G. Purpera, CPA, CFE

June 12, 2015

Legislative Auditor Receives NSAA Award for Report on New Orleans Traffic Court

An audit by the Legislative Auditor that helped convict a former accountant for the Traffic Court of New Orleans was recognized this week by a national organization.

For its efforts, the National State Auditors Association awarded the state auditor’s office its Excellence in Accountability Award – Forensic Report. The report on the Traffic Court (which you can read in its entirety HERE) identified more than $1.2 million in fraudulent billings submitted by Vandale Thomas from 2006 to 2011. Thomas, who worked for the accounting firm Pailet, Muenier and LeBlanc, LLP as the court's auditor from 2006 to 2008, was later contracted as the court's CFO from 2008 to 2011. While Thomas was contracted directly with the court from 2008 to 2011 he was paid more than $750,000 in excess of the maximum amount that was allowed under his contracts.

LLA worked directly with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana during the audit.

In October 2014, a federal jury convicted Thomas on 11 counts of theft, money laundering, and structuring transactions to evade reporting requirements. LLA’s report served as the basis for the prosecution’s case.

For more information contact:

Legislative Auditor
225.339.3800



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