News Channel 5 has obtained a letter from the Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office that states there could be “possible misappropriation” of public funds by the Rapides Parish Police Jury and the Rapides Parish Coliseum Authority for Rapides Parish Coliseum events.

In the letter written by Assistant District Attorney, Thomas Wells, who also represents the police jury said, “There may have been a possible misuse of public funds to host a grand opening at the newly renovated Coliseum.” The letter was sent on May 19 to Payne, Moore & Herrington LLP, the contracted legislative auditor for the Police Jury and Authority. The events in question are the grand opening events and gala that occurred on Feb. 10 and 11.

In the letter, Wells claimed Assistant District Attorney, Stephen Mansour, warned the Authority not to use the funds at their meeting on Jan. 19.

“It is my understanding that ADA (Assistant District Attorney) Stephen Mansour advised the Coliseum Authority on January 19, 2017 that it was improper to use public funds for the purposes of hosting a Gala or Grand Opening Events,” said Wells.

Wells also said minutes from the Jan. 19 meeting show Authority members agreed not to use public funds, but later did anyway.

“Use of these funds is contrary to the Attorney General’s Opinions, contrary to the advice of the Authority’s legal adviser ADA Stephen Mansour and contrary to the vote taken by the Authority at their January 19, 2017 meeting,” said Wells.

In the letter, Wells pointed to two bank accounts where he claimed public money was spent, but did not clarify how much.

“As you can see from the two account details the Authority and also the Rapides Parish Police Jury spent public funds for the purposes of hosting the gala event,” said Wells.

Wells also pointed to a March 6 meeting where Richard Karamatic, former Rapides Parish Coliseum's Executive Director, said it was a “financial failure” leaving a $15,000 deficit.

The letter also claims “there is also questionable expenditure of public funds involving the rental of equipment from H&E equipment.” Wells said Assistant District Attorney Greg Jones found two pieces of equipment that are in question.

“Further research revealed that the Authority had never passed a motion authorizing the rental of the equipment,” said Wells. “However, Authority funds were being used to pay for the monthly rental charges for the equipment.” Moreover, they claimed to find a lease between H&E Equipment and the Rapides Parish Police Jury for the rental of the equipment.

Wells also said Bruce Kelly, Rapides Parish Police Jury Treasurer, issued a letter claiming the police jury “appropriated” the funds for the payment of the leases on the equipment. Wells said after searching the minutes, “no motion was ever found whereby the Jury authorized the rental of the equipment nor the “appropriation” of the funds for payment of the rentals.”

News Channel 5 has reached out to Police Jury President Craig Smith and Coliseum Authority Chairman Darren Sigur for comment and are awaiting their response.

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We have attached the letter, but have removed the bank account numbers.