Seth Dickerson

sdickerson@gannett.com

15th Judicial District Court District Attorney Keith Stutes confirmed Thursday that a criminal complaint has been filed with his office against Lafayette City Marshal Brian Pope.

Stutes said it will be investigated fully, but he said he couldn't comment on the complaint any further. It's also unknown what the complaint is in reference to as of now.

Pope was convicted of contempt of court March 24 by district judge Jules Edwards after he said Pope knowingly withheld emails requested by The Independent proving collusion between himself and the staff of then-Lafayette Parish Sheriff candidate Chad Leger in reference to a press conference Pope held in which he condemned Leger's opponent, Mark Garber, for appearing on Honduran television allegedly encouraging illegal immigrants to come to the U.S. and file worker's compensation claims.

In the ruling, Edwards said that although he didn't consider this in his March 24 ruling, the events in the case, including video of Pope's deposition, could serve as grounds to investigate Pope for various crimes, such as perjury and malfeasance.

OUR VIEWS: Lafayette City Marshal should be ashamed of his actions

The Independent accused the city marshal of lying under oath about how much Joe Castille, Leger's political consultant, was involved in an October press conference, in which Pope attacked Garber. Pope eventually endorsed Leger in the race.

Pope first denied under oath the existence of emails between him and Castille, but after they were found, he said in depositions that he withheld them because they were part of an ongoing investigation into illegal immigration. He invoked a Louisiana statute regarding withholding public records that are part of an ongoing investigation.

Edwards ruled that there was clear and concise evidence that there was no actual investigation, and that Pope's correspondence with the Leger campaign should have been handed over to The Independent.

Pope also testified during a recorded deposition that he used the resources of his public office, specifically the personnel of the Lafayette City Marshal, to prepare a fundraising mailing package for his personal campaign ventures. When questioned about the matter by The Independent's attorney, Gary McGoffin, Pope responded, "Because I'm a political figure. I mean, I can use my office for my campaign."

He added in the deposition that it was acceptable to use public funds for his campaign because "everyone does it."

Pope was sentenced to 30 days in jail with all but 7 days suspended, 173 hours of instructing others on public records law and two years of probation. He is in the process of appealing the sentence.