Jerry Joseph Larpenter is the former sheriff and tax collector of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. In August 2016, it was reported that Larpenter's deputies raided the residence of a local anti-corruption blogger on criminal defamation charges after posts examining the business relationships of local parish politicians.[1][2] The anti-corruption blogger claimed that an insurance contract for parish government was awarded without going through a public bid process and without a required ordinance.[3] Local newspaper The Daily Comet pointed out that Larpenter's wife is employed by the same insurance business.[4]
On August 25, 2016, the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeals quashed the search warrant use in the raid of the anti-corruption blogger because the warrant lacked probable cause of a criminally actionable offense.[5]
In July 2017, a judge for the US District Court in Louisiana handed down a ruling that strips Larpenter of immunity in the lawsuit brought against him by the local anti-corruption blogger for violating her rights.[6][7]
In August 2017, Larpenter settled the civil suit filed against him by the local anti-corruption blogger, who had previous received $50,000 from Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove for his role in the case.[8][9]
In March 2019, Larpenter announced that he would not seek re-election, leaving office at the end of his term in June 2020.[10]
A political opponent previously accused Larpenter of using parish government money for personal expenses, such as hunting trips.[11]
References
edit- ^ Moore, Katie; Hammer, David (August 3, 2016). "Terrebonne Sheriff raids house to expose 'Esposedat' anti-corruption blog". WWL-TV. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
- ^ LaChance, Naomi (August 4, 2016). "Sheriff Raids House to Find Anonymous Blogger Who Called Him Corrupt". The Intercept. Archived from the original on August 5, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
- ^ Hammer, David (August 5, 2016). "Terrebonne judge stands by search warrant to unmask online commenter, and is quoted in saying "If you're gonna lie about me and make it under a fictitious name, I'm gonna come after you," (WWLTV Interview)". WWL-TV. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
- ^ Moore, Katie; Hammer, David (August 6, 2016). "Disputed insurance contract heads to Terrebonne Parish Council on Monday". The Daily Comet. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
- ^ "Sheriff's Raid to Find Blogger Who Criticized Him was Unconstitutional, Court Rules". The Intercept. August 26, 2016.
- ^ "Federal Court Strips Immunity From Sheriff Who Tried To Silence A Critic By Having Him Arrested". techdirt. August 8, 2017.
- ^ "No qualified immunity in First Amendment and Fourth Amendment lawsuit against Louisiana sheriff in criminal libel case". The Washington Post. July 20, 2017.
- ^ "Sheriff Forced to Pay After Ordering Raid on Blogger Who Criticized Him". Reason. August 8, 2017.
- ^ "Terrebonne Sheriff reaches 'compromise' with blogger in 1st Amendment lawsuit over illegal search". 4WWL. September 7, 2017.
- ^ "Terrebonne sheriff announces he will not seek re-election". houmatoday.com. March 30, 2019.
- ^ "Sheriff of 'Cajun Justice' Called Out on Football Trips, Baby Oil". NOLA Defender. July 29, 2013. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2016.