Former Delhi Mayor May Have Used Town Funds, Vehicles for Non-Government Purposes

The former mayor of a north Louisiana town may have used town vehicles and fuel purchased with town funds for purposes unrelated to town business, according to an audit released Monday by the Legislative Auditor’s office.

The report, prepared for the state auditor by J. Walker & Co. of Lake Charles, alleges that former town of Delhi mayor J. Lynn Lewis used the town’s Fuelman gas card to purchase more than 200 gallons of gasoline for out-of-state travel with no stated purpose for the trips given. Questionable charges for the fuel amounted to $616.61.

The auditor said it also appears Lewis used town vehicles for these trips to Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas, which occurred between September 2013 and March 2014. Because the purposes of the trips were not documented, the auditor was unable to determine whether or not the trips were appropriate or necessary. There was also an unspecified amount of questionable charges related to these trips on the town’s credit card.

As of the issuance of the town’s September 30, 2014, fiscal year-end audit on Monday, Lewis had not paid restitution on any of the questioned costs. Lewis was defeated by current Mayor Jesse Washington in a December 2014 runoff election.

In its response to the finding, the town said that, “in the future, all travel expenses charged to the Fuelman will have the necessary documentation maintained with the bill, and the Council will be given copies of all charges.” Also, Mayor Washington has implemented a policy that all town vehicles remain parked at Town Hall unless being used for official business.

In total, the audit contains 10 findings, including another related to the former mayor. The audit report said the town reimbursed Lewis nearly $70 for four transactions in the Apple iTunes Store.