Community Accountability Network

Category: City of West Monroe

  • West Monroe Man Killed in Morehouse Parish Crash Morehouse Parish

    TROOP F NEWS RELEASE

    March 6, 2026

    West Monroe Man Killed in Morehouse Parish Crash Morehouse Parish – On March 6, 2026, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop F responded to a one-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 599 at Bernie Turner Road. The crash claimed the life of 65-year-old Michael A. Hutson of West Monroe.The initial investigation revealed that a 2017 commercial vehicle, driven by Hutson, was southbound on Louisiana Highway 599. For reasons still under investigation, Hutson left the roadway, traveled down the ditch embankment and overturned. Hutson, who was not restrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead. Routine toxicology sample was obtained and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.While not all crashes are survivable, proper use of seat belts can greatly decrease an occupant’s chance of death and may greatly reduce the extent of injury. Always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained can often mean the difference between life and death.

    Contact Information:

    Master Trooper Casey Wallace

    Louisiana State Police Public Affairs Section – Region E

    Cell: (318) [email protected]

  • Payroll and Tax Reporting Errors

    The City of West Monroe is addressing payroll and tax reporting errors that affected employees.

    According to internal communications, a miscoding issue required amended 2024 W-2 forms, and certain overtime payments were initially calculated at a lower rate than they should have been. Employees were first told checks would be voided and reissued, then later instructed to disregard that message and assured that no direct deposits would be reversed. The City has since stated that any differences owed will be deposited directly and that corrections have been finalized.

    The City is offering reimbursement for costs associated with filing amended tax returns resulting from the W-2 corrections.

    An individual with direct knowledge of the payroll issue contacted this publication privately and expressed concern about internal communication surrounding the corrections, requesting anonymity due to fear of potential workplace repercussions.

    While there is no public indication of fraud or intentional wrongdoing at this time, the sequence of corrections — including amended tax forms, overtime recalculations, and conflicting payroll directives — has prompted questions about internal payroll controls and oversight procedures. City officials have been contacted for clarification regarding how the miscoding occurred and what safeguards are being implemented to prevent similar issues in the future.

    More information will be provided as it becomes available.