Unfolding like an episode of your favorite daytime soap opera is what some would term a “culture of corruption” in the City of Youngsville. Within that tangled web you can find predators, prey, and plenty of dead bodies. This community has, for years, been viewed as a hamlet on the hill, or more appropriately in a valley. But once again it is being inundated by deep waters from a different source that have their own severe consequences for everyone they touch.
ORTIS TERMINATED
Youngsville Police Sergeant Justin Ortis
At the Youngsville Police Civil Service Board Meeting last week the Board approved the personnel action of Chief Rickey Boudreaux terminating Sergeant Justin Ortis. Ortis was one of the Youngsville Police Officers who responded to the traffic crash in November of 2022 involving Youngsville City Councilman Kayla Reaux. Reaux has since resigned her post. Ortis through his counsel, Allyson Melancon, has appealed the termination.
Boudreaux, speaking at the March 30, 2023, council meeting, (and indicating that he had been asked by the Council to take a voluntary leave of absence) stated he was the “duly elected chief by the citizens of this city, not by you the Council.” Boudreaux went on to accuse the Mayor and members of the Council of all requesting and receiving special privileges from his office. Boudreaux also alleged that on March 2, 2023, he received a text message from Councilman Lindy Bolgiano with regards to “fixing” a ticket. Louisiana Revised Statute 32:398.3 makes it illegal for any person to cancel or solicit the cancellation of any traffic citation.
In response to the Council considering whether to investigate the actions of Boudreaux he stated “the only decision-making power you, the council, have is on the budget of this department and my salary. If you vote down my budget, you’re not hurting me, but instead are jeopardizing the safety of every citizen of this community.”
BAUMGARDNER RESIGNS
Youngsville Police Sergeant Brian Baumgardner
Today, Youngsville Police Department Sergeant Brian Baumgardner has resigned his position on the Youngsville Police Civil Service Board. Baumgardner, who served as the representative appointed for the Youngsville Police Department, cited the “upcoming high profile case” (Ortis) and the “probability of retaliatory action” against him as his reasons for stepping down from the Board.
Baumgardner does have cause for alarm. According to records in June of 2021 an investigation was launched into the conduct of Baumgardner. The allegations made against Baumgardner were that he “may have taken actions which undermine the Chief, and/or the administration of the Youngsville Police Department.” More specifically, he may have been the person “going to the La. State Police and DA’s office in an attempt to launch an investigation into Chief Boudreaux and/or his administration, regarding ticket fixing.”
Interestingly enough in the 2022 Legislative Session Representative Kyle Green (2/10) brought bill HB745, which was signed into law (Act 634) providing whistleblower protection to police officers. Under Louisiana Revised Statue 40:2537 “no police employee shall be discharged, demoted, suspended, threatened, harassed, or discriminated against in any manner in the terms and conditions of his employment because of any lawful act engaged in by the employee or on behalf of the employee in furtherance of any action taken to report malfeasance in office by police employees to law enforcement, whether such fellow employee is a co-worker, supervisor or subordinate.” While the law creates a cause of action for police employees to sue their “employer” for violations which may constitute “malfeasance in office” it is silent in many respects. Does an elected Chief fit into the definition “co-worker” or “supervisor”? Does there need to be a criminal conviction of malfeasance in order for the matter to be successful? Who constitutes the “employer,” specifically in the Youngsville scenario, the Chief of Police, the City of Youngsville, or both?
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Give us the tools, and we will finish the job.
Churchill’s rallying cry echoes today: “Give us the tools, and we will finish the job.” Here's how you can help hold the line for Louisiana’s conservative values.
One historical figure I frequently look to for inspiration is Winston Churchill. With little more than grit and determination, he rallied his countrymen to overcome overwhelming odds and save the world. He had a plan and a team, but on February 9th, 1941, he needed resources to further stimey the evil forces bearing down on England.
He closed his radio broadcast on that fateful day, saying, "Put your confidence in us. Give us your faith and your blessing, and, under Providence, all will be well. We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire... Give us the tools, and we will finish the job."
Here we are some eighty years later, and evil again bears down upon us. To be sure, Donald Trump will do his part in Washington, DC. However, Louisiana and her local communities are our jobs - yours and mine. It's up to us to hold the line against the Left's encroachment in Louisiana. That's the work Citizens for a New Louisiana has already been doing for nearly eight years. We've shored up our gains in Lafayette, Livingston, and St. Tammany parishes. However, many more parishes are currently undefended! Will you help us to expand more Conservative bulwarks into other parishes?
Churchill knew that success was only possible with additional resources. That remains true today. We can only continue this critical work with support from friends like you. We don't just think Louisiana is worth saving; we're doing our part to accomplish it, one little bit at a time. Are you on board? Here's your chance to prove it. Partner with our movement or chip in monthly so this critical work continues.
If everyone who read this article contributed just $10 a year, we could double our reach. Your support now ensures Louisiana’s conservative future—don’t wait—contribute today!
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