Investigation into Jefferson Parish continues

Reported by: Val Bracy, Reporter 

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Jefferson Parish

Ken Trahan is best known as a radio sports commentator and for the work he did with Aaron Broussard on the Saints Hall of Fame Museum.

And according to Jefferson Parish records he was also a paralegal in the Parish Attorney's Office.

Trahan was paid about $18,000 a year for a 20-hour week in 2008 and '09 although he doesn't show up on the parish attorney's 2009 organizational charts.

According to the parish, Trahan resigned a few days after FOX 8 inquired about his paralegal credentials. Jefferson Parish does not have any on record.

Reached by phone Monday, Trahan said, despite the parish documents, he never worked as a paralegal, only in the Public Information Office.

Although, last week, the Public Information Officer said Trahan did odd jobs in her office, like writing articles and press releases, while he worked primarily for the parish attorney.

"Obviously it's suspicious. It's something that has to be looked into," says Rafael Goyeneche of the Metropolitan Crime Commission.

Jefferson Parish Constable Antoine "Tony" Thomassie is a similar case.

He shows up on a list of paralegals the parish turned over to FOX 8, but he's not on the Parish Attorney's organizational chart either.

Also reached by phone, Thomassie said that last year he was looking for some extra income so he met with Broussard and Parish Attorney Tom Wilkinson.

Thomassie says they told him he would work in the Code Enforcement Department but hold the title of paralegal.

"Could there possibly be an innocent explanation, sure. Could there be something more sinister, sure. What we're seeing right now in Jefferson parish is a variety of different smelly, unusual circumstances," says Goyeneche.

Broussard's ex-wife holds the title of paralegal supervisor, although for the last six years she's been working in the Security Department. That's what the parish told us earlier this month when we first reported he story, but now there seems to be some confusion as to Karen Parker's current employment status.

As of last week, the parish's Finance Director claimed Parker was still being paid about $65,000 a year.

But Deputy Parish Attorney Peggy Barton says she doesn't have any records pertaining to Parker's employment. The head of the Security Department now says the same thing, although two weeks ago he said Parker did work in his department.

After FOX 8's report on Parker, parish official Bert Smith said her employment status was being investigated.

As of January 26th, Parker was still employed, although she has been removed from the Parish Attorney's organizational chart.

Jefferson Parish declined to make Interim Parish President Steve Theriot or Parish Attorney Tom Wilkinson available for an interview on this story.

Instead, the parish released the following statement regarding Karen Parker and Antoine "Tony" Thomassie.

"Both employment matters are personnel matters currently under review and we will have no comment until they are resolved, which should be later this week."

As far as Trahan is concerned, the parish would only say he resigned and would not address whether his employment is under review.

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