Community Accountability Network

Tag: Legal

  • Frost Tower LLC vs. OPPJ — Part 1

    Ouachita Parish Police Jury Deep Dive

    Disclaimer: I am not an attorney. This is simply my understanding of the court filings based on the public record.

    A company called Frost Tower, LLC has filed a lawsuit against the Ouachita Parish Police Jury (OPPJ) challenging the Parish’s subdivision regulations, specifically Chapter 21.5 of the parish ordinances.

    According to the petition, Frost Tower owns about 68 acres and wants to subdivide it into residential lots. The company is asking the court to declare that the Police Jury does not have the authority to enforce these subdivision rules as applied to them, and to stop the Parish from enforcing those rules on this development.

    The Police Jury responded in December by filing what are called “exceptions” and defenses. In simple terms, they are arguing that:
    – If someone is challenging the constitutionality of an ordinance, certain procedural steps must be followed
    – The Louisiana Attorney General must be properly served
    – The case may have been filed using the wrong type of court procedure

    They also deny the allegations and ask that the case be dismissed.

    One unusual development: all of the sitting judges of the Fourth Judicial District Court have recused themselves from the case. According to the recusal order, the judges are currently involved in separate litigation that includes the Police Jury, and they stepped aside to avoid any appearance of bias. That means a different judge will have to be assigned to handle this case.

    At this point, the case appears to be focused heavily on procedural issues before the court even reaches the larger constitutional question.

    Again, I am not offering legal advice. I am simply summarizing what is reflected in the filings. I will continue to follow the case as it develops.

  • The Overlap: Public Dollars, Private Influence

    The Overlap: Public Dollars, Private Influence

    This article may appear in multiple series, as the topics are intertwined.

    Economic development in Northeast Louisiana is often described as a public-private partnership. That model is common. What matters is how it functions in practice.

    A review of GROW NELA’s publicly listed Board of Directors and investor roster reveals a pattern of overlap between those who financially support the organization and those who help govern it.

    Documented examples include but are not limited to:
    – Shane Smiley, President of the Ouachita Parish Police Jury. The Police Jury is listed as an investor in GROW NELA. Smiley also serves on GROW NELA’s Board of Directors representing the parish.
    – Tania Hilburn, Senior Vice President with Chase Bank. Chase is listed as an investor in GROW NELA. She serves on the board representing the bank.
    – Matt Dickerson, Chief Strategy Officer at Mid South Extrusion. Mid South Extrusion is listed as an investor in GROW NELA. He serves on the board.
    – Chap Breard, owner of MOEbiz. MOEbiz is listed as an investor in GROW NELA. He serves on the board.
    – Emily Stogner, affiliated with DPR Construction. DPR is listed as an investor in GROW NELA. DPR is also a prime contractor on the Meta data center project in Richland Parish.

    These connections are drawn directly from publicly available board and investor listings.

    This structure means that multiple entities financially supporting GROW NELA also hold governance positions within the organization.

    That structure is not automatically improper.

    However, when public institutions invest taxpayer dollars into an organization whose board includes private firms that may later benefit from development projects, the public has a right to review:
    – How funding agreements are structured
    – Whether conflicts of interest are disclosed
    – Whether recusals are documented
    – Whether procurement processes involving investor-linked firms are transparent

    Public Records Requests

    In order to better understand how these relationships operate in practice, I submitted public records requests to both the City of Monroe and the Ouachita Parish Police Jury seeking documentation of:
    – Contracts and cooperative agreements with GROW NELA
    – Payments to investor-linked firms
    – Procurement documentation related to those contracts

    After receiving no communication from the Police Jury, I visited their office in person. I was informed that my request was received on February 20. I requested written confirmation of receipt and was told the request had been forwarded to the Police Jury’s attorney.

    As of this writing, no records have been produced.

    Under Louisiana Public Records Law, public bodies are required to respond within three business days by either producing records or providing a written explanation and timeline.

    The State of Louisiana has acknowledged receipt of a related records request and indicated that documents are being compiled on their behalf.

    This review is ongoing.

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  • Important Update: Attorney Robby Dube

    Series: The Richland Parish Data Center

    Meet Attorney Robby Dube:

    During my investigation into the Data Center, I came across some information that was very concerning to me. It brought my investigative series to a pause. For now, I am leaving it on pause for good reason. Please read this in its entirety before asking questions. We are not just dealing with Richland Parish anymore. Caddo Parish announced their Amazon data center and believe me, more are coming across Louisiana. Many mega companies are looking to take root here in our state and we will soon be looking at massive industrial plants across the region.

    1. To those that support the data centers being built, this is not targeted toward you. I support your right to enjoy the benefits of these data centers, and I am glad your voice and opinion has been heard.
    2. To those who do not support the data centers, I am concerned with you about your inability to vote and decide on these issues as a community. So many people feel left out of the decision making, powerless to these changes, and scared of what is coming.

    In the past few weeks, I have been in conversations with attorney Robert Dube of Eckland & Blando. He is a very experienced attorney in Minnesota whose practice is centered on constitutional law, government and administrative litigation and more. He is licensed to practice in federal court and has experience in these specific issues.

    The Community Accountability Network is here to offer an opportunity to the group of individuals who feel they have no voice in these changes by representing you alongside attorney Dube.

    I want to be clear:
    Exploring legal options is not about dismissing or diminishing the views of the community who supports the data centers. Our goal is to continue to give a voice to everyone in the community and right now many people feel silenced and pushed out of their own land. Our only goal is to make sure that everything being introduced to Louisiana is being done in the light, that citizens have access to ALL the information they are entitled to and we trust the legal system to make that determination for you all.

    In the coming days, we will be announcing a meeting open to the public where more information will be available regarding this opportunity.

    We want to hear from you so please take the coming days to gather your thoughts, write down your questions and feel free to speak with us at the coming meeting.

    The only thing I am asking at this point is that you share this post so that everyone has a chance to be heard — both those who agree and disagree. The local agencies may not have handled the changes this way, but we will. The community is entitled to making informed decisions together with transparent information.

    This is your opportunity to move forward with clarity and unity — the way it should have been in the beginning.

    Event link: Attorney Dube Q&A

  • Update: Visit to Grow NELA Office

    Series: The Richland Parish Data Center: Truth, Rumor & The Record

    On Tuesday, I stopped by the Grow NELA office to request records related to the Richland Parish Data Center project and get a better understanding of why my emails were going unanswered.

    I was told that as a private nonprofit entity, they are not required to provide records and that any further communication regarding such should be directed to their attorney.

    While it’s true that private nonprofits are not always subject to the same public records laws as government agencies, that does not automatically mean records are inaccessible in all circumstances — particularly when public infrastructure, public funding, and governmental coordination are involved, which is what I am working on clarifying for the public.

    Transparency can be simple. When an organization is operating in connection with major regional development, clarity builds public trust. Journalism aside, my personal opinion is that on a project of this magnitude and with so many rumors and reports of possible insider information, the easiest way to clarify things is by transparency without legal avenues.

    My request was straightforward and respectful. I will now pursue documentation through the appropriate public agencies and legal channels.

    The goal remains the same: transparency, accountability, and a clear understanding of process.

    More to come.

  • Richwood Police Chief Remains in Position After Felony Arrest

    Richwood Police Chief Remains in Position After Felony Arrest

    Power & Privilege — Laying the Foundation

    Court records confirm that on May 30, 2025, Richwood Police Chief Johnny Ray Cleveland was arrested and charged with Aggravated Battery (felony). An arrest warrant was issued the same day, along with a Louisiana Uniform Abuse Prevention Order that is effective through May 30, 2027.

    Local media outlets, including KNOE and KTVE, reported that Mayor Gerald Brown stated the Chief remains in his position but has been placed on “desk duty,” handling administrative responsibilities. The Monroe Dispatch has also reported that Cleveland is “not suspended, but inactive in investigations,” according to statements attributed to the mayor.

    Since that time, additional whistleblower communications have been received raising concerns about administrative leave policies, vehicle use, firearm restrictions under the protective order, payroll practices, and possible prior legal matters. These claims have not yet been independently verified. Public records requests are being prepared to obtain documentation and clarify policy compliance.

    A Louisiana Uniform Crash Report connected to a recent fatal crash on Highway 165 has also been reviewed. The crash narrative does not attribute fault to any responding officer in the report available. Claims regarding the Chief’s involvement in that incident remain unverified.

    At the center of this situation are broader questions about transparency and policy. What is Richwood’s administrative leave policy for a law enforcement officer facing a felony charge? What restrictions are in place while a protective order is active? What safeguards exist to protect the town from liability exposure?

    This is an ongoing matter. Updates will be provided as documentation is obtained and verified.

    Richwood, you deserve better. You deserve true leadership and transparency.

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