News -> INDReporter MON, MAY 9 11:11AM by Leslie Turk

Hardy files ethics complaint against Gachassin

Development consultant Greg Gachassin’s potential ethics dilemma won’t end with The Independent Weekly’s April 20 cover story, “How Gachassin Games the System.” And it shouldn’t.

The low-income housing fiasco that has been dogging Lafayette since last summer and led to federal investigations of the Lafayette Housing Authority also involves some very well-connected local professionals. At least one of them, Gachassin, appears to have violated the state's Code of Governmental Ethics.

The Louisiana Board of Ethics is now compelled to take the matter up, because on May 2 state Rep. Rickey Hardy, who helped blow the whistle on the LHA's troubles, lodged a formal complaint. “It would seem as if Mr. Gachassin has violated the ethics laws of the State of Louisiana while serving as chairman and member of the Lafayette Public Trust Finance Authority... [and] appears to have been in ethics violation even after his resignation from the [LPTFA],” Hardy wrote to the state's top ethics administrator, Kathleen Allen.  

The LPTFA is a trust organized under the laws of the state that holds millions for the benefit of Lafayette Consolidated Government. In his letter, Hardy is referencing this newspaper’s story about how Gachassin, while on LPTFA's board, orchestrated low-income housing deals in north Lafayette that involved both LPTFA funding and federal low-income housing tax credits. He then signed on as a consultant for two of them, Villa Gardens and Cypress Trails, while still on the board or within weeks of his Nov. 17, 2009, resignation from it. (Gachassin also is the development consultant for Joie de Vivre, a downtown apartment complex with partial funding from LPTFA that is paying him a $1 million consulting fee.)

The state’s ethics code appears clear on this “post-employment” restriction: After leaving a public board, you must wait two years before engaging in a transaction, for compensation, with the board. The definition of transaction is broad, covering just about anything the governmental entity is a party to or has an interest in.

Gachassin’s cut on the Villa Gardens and Cypress Trails developments? More than $1 million bucks (he gets about half of the developer fee).

Read more on Gachassin's potential ethics problem in this week's Last Word First column here.


Comments (36)add
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written by Pawn in the game of life , May 09, 2011 - 11:27 am
It is not just Mr. Gachassin, his team of Richard Becker and Glen Angelle Architect are also recieveing the benefits of Mr. Gachassin's connection. Another project if Angel Point. They are currently bilding now. Walter Guillory applied for tax credits for Angel Point Limited Partnership LLC. The Secretary of State did not approved the Partnership until March of this year, however they recieved tax credits from the Louisiana Housing board in February. They were approved in December but HUD withdrew the application. I quess it was a good thing Mr. Gachassin served as Chairman of the Louisiana Public Housing board that issue tax credits. ALso Walter Guillory served on that Board. Thi stinks and I don't know why the authorities are not going after this.
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written by IMJacquemo , May 09, 2011 - 11:31 am
Good for Rep. Hardy. It appears Mr. Gashassin stepped over the line on this one.
Why didn't someone from Lafayette c/p government file a complaint as well?
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written by Money , May 09, 2011 - 11:47 am
As long as he gets to keep his millions and only has pay a little fine ($5,000) - then Greg will do just fine.
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written by supra woman , May 09, 2011 - 11:48 am
Wow-
First Mike Stagg and the local backwater dems and now Ricky Hardy calling for Gachassin's head...a veritable Navy Seal team of power and influence.Surrender now my boy!!!
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written by Quint , May 09, 2011 - 11:54 am
There's a word for all this: Greed.
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written by tif , May 09, 2011 - 11:58 am
I agree with IMJacquemo,

Where is Joey? He should be publicly calling Greg trash like he called Chris and getting David Vidder envolved in the tar and feathering.
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written by wow , May 09, 2011 - 12:30 pm
I would like to see more of our legislators and local council members and the Parish President envolved in this. Come on guys and girls this is alot of money.
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written by BoFred , May 09, 2011 - 12:55 pm
I find the whole ordeal distasteful and reprehensible, using poor folks like that. Maybe not illegal, but if there is anything unethical, I hope they're all called out on it.
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written by The way it is! , May 09, 2011 - 02:49 pm
Apparently stupra woman is unimpressed by Mike Stagg. So be it. Many people, including myself, are not impressed with Stagg either. But Hardy seems to be quite honest as well as a stand up man of integrity. His written, on the record complaint will carry some weight. Who knows? Maybe there is more to this than meets the eye and the feds will bring down Gachassin like they did Hank Mouton.
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written by NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN , May 09, 2011 - 03:50 pm
Nothing happens in Lafayette unless it is okayed by Joey SECONDLY and the Greenambulanceman FIRST, and a few other minority partners, WILL GET WITH THE PROGRAM...If there is a buck available for the cache you can count the buck stops with Joey, he never covers his tracks. He's bourre`.
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written by gosh , May 09, 2011 - 04:03 pm
gosh fellers, who is at the watch? It seems nobody is watching the till. Lets do a tiff and throw all the cash from floats at Mardi Gras in the krew of Joey parade. I hope this is not an ethics violation. Hank, Greg and Walter run for city/parish councel and give Joey the votes to run his KINGDOM as it should be. ROYALTY FOREVER
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written by realitycheck , May 09, 2011 - 04:56 pm
money said As long as he gets to keep his millions and only has pay a little fine ($5,000) - then Greg will do just fine.

Last I read the ethics code, there are some greater penalities than this little fine which ultimate affects all of the people with greasy hands. I believe that upon a finding of ethics violation, all contracts related thereto can be cancelled; declared null and void..
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written by Leslie Turk , May 09, 2011 - 05:03 pm
You are correct realitycheck. There can be enhanced penalties if there was economic gain -- 1.5 times the amount of the gain. And contracts can be rescinded.
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written by Quote , May 09, 2011 - 08:16 pm
"Anytime we have someone with Greg's knowledge and experience step-up to the plate, it's a huge coup for us,” said City-Parish President Joey Durel. "I think everybody sees Greg as the numbers guy, but his planning and development experience is as equally impressive as his financial experience. He knows how to get things done. ”
http://www.cartesiancompany.co...velopment




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written by Quote , May 09, 2011 - 08:34 pm
And within days of his resignation from the board he gave Joey a nice donation of $2500.00

DurelJoeyF102 THE CARTESIAN COMPANY INC.326 Settlers Trace Blvd. Suite 100B Lafayette LA70508CONTRIB12/2/2009$2,500.00

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written by Quote , May 09, 2011 - 08:38 pm
And Becker Paid respects also

DurelJoeyF102 BECKER & ASSOCIATES APLCP.O. Box 52085 Lafayette LA70505CONTRIB12/2/2009$2,500.00

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written by Quote , May 09, 2011 - 08:40 pm
And of course so did Junior's dad

DurelJoeyF102 OTTINGER HEBERT LLCP O Drawer 52606 Lafayette LA70505-2606CONTRIB11/24/2009$2,500.00

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written by Gene Broussard , May 09, 2011 - 09:29 pm
Now, who is the Greenambulanceman and why does he have so much influence?
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written by BoFred , May 10, 2011 - 04:32 am
there's only one ambulance within miles and miles and miles, across state lines, and anyone should be able to figure out greenambulanceman
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written by wow , May 10, 2011 - 07:23 am
now I know why they didn't report Greg. Thank you Ricky Hardy for not being on the take
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written by wow , May 10, 2011 - 08:46 am
Hey Leslie,

Is there a risk of jail time? Do you think anything will happen or does he have the stroke for the powers to be, just to look the other way. I can't believe Joey is invlved in this.
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written by MatterofFact , May 10, 2011 - 09:26 am
So what did Joey Do with the money?
______________
DurelJoeyF102CIGAR MERCHANT1001 Coolidge StLafayetteLA70503Building Community Conference - for Golf outing with Directors3/17/2010$243.27
__________________
DurelJoeyF102MUSSE PEUEOTCarrefour de l'Eurpoe25600 SochauxFranceSupplies & Currency Exchange11/28/2010$24.58
_______________
DurelJoeyF102MIGROS M FLON-MERCIERvoie due Chariot 61003 LausanneFrancePen - Travel Currency Exchange10/23/2010$18.50
______________



JoeyF102MYSTICK KREWE OF LOUISIANAS INCP O Box 80518Baton RougeLA70898Dues$700.00
________________

DurelJoeyF102CIGAR MERCHANT1001 Coolidge StLafayetteLA70503Office Humidor8/12/2010$302.40
__________________________
DurelJoeyF102OK CIGAR INC3300 Bonita Beach Rd.Suite 104Bonita SpringsFL34134Golf Tourn. Gifts7/1/2010$373.80
______________

DurelJoeyF102OK CIGAR INC3300 Bonita Beach Rd.Suite 104Bonita SpringsFL34134Branded cigars for office8/5/2010$389.80
__________________

DurelJoeyF102OK CIGAR INC3300 Bonita Beach Rd.Suite 104Bonita SpringsFL34134Gifts########$136.55


DurelJoeyF102WILSON VIATOR FOR MAYOR CAMPAIGNP.O. Box 399YoungsvilleLA70592Contribution4/5/2010$1,000.00
____________

DurelJoeyF102ST. PIUS ELEMENTARY201 E Bayou ParkwayLafayetteLA70508Donation3/1/2010$200.00
______

DurelJoeyF102MARCELLO'S WINE MARKET2800 Johnston StLafayetteLA70503Fundraiser Refreshments5/20/2010$314.69
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written by Yep , May 10, 2011 - 09:27 am
I can see how these are all legitmate campaign expenses. Need those cigars for the back room meetings.


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written by realitycheck , May 10, 2011 - 07:51 pm
So just before the bribes, I mean,campaign contributions, what dole of public money may have been recieved? Hmmm. . . could there be government funds these guys were suddenly possessed to be generous with; all at the same time?
Turk: Have you looked at the Acadiana Outreach financials? Have they used donated funds/grant money to prop Gachassin up or anything in this mess or the future Joie de Vie? And, HUD requires the non-profit set up a subsidiary to handle LIHTC types of developments and I have to wonder why? Is that so that the corporation pays real estate taxes? Have any of the previous developments paid taxes? Of course, AOC set up Urban Ventures initially to handle this but now also indicate another entity in the financials; Local Initiative Support or something like that. Why a second layer?
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written by CajunTransplant , May 10, 2011 - 10:39 pm
Way to go Rickey. God Bless you!
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written by NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN , May 10, 2011 - 11:16 pm
My question is everyone one who is found to be beating the system is cordoned off and never any spillover of blame, now this is absolutely ridiculous the head always knows what the arm, or the leg is doing. In a stable this size all the rats know where the grain bin is stationed, and who is getting their share, the familiar pose of the bend over prone position must be a wholly habitual necessity by this time. I don't believe the Lafayette citizens could survive without their daily dose. There is so much corruption in this parish that the "Chicago County Administrators want to come here, and bump off the local Lafayette Parish Administrators and their cronys, the pickins are so good here. This may happen yet, for surely they'll be here long before the feds bust these scavenger leeches.
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written by NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN , May 10, 2011 - 11:25 pm
Bofred, it cannot be that you, and I, are the only ones aware of whose has first dubs, EH ? I bet you know, whose has second dubs, and who has third dubs, and last but not the least gainer, whos is at home.
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written by tif , May 11, 2011 - 08:35 am
I like the rats in the grain ben. Nice touch. Remember if you when the rat race your still just a rat.
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written by Ron , May 11, 2011 - 04:30 pm
Well, it seems everyone has plenty of negative to say bout this matter. Why don't we look at all of the positive and good these projects are going to do. Affordable NEW HOUSING on the NORTHSIDE for the elderly and families who would never have visualized this in their future. I didn't see too many people stepping up to the plate to get all the t's crossed and i's dotted to get these projects designed, funded, and now built so that needy Lafayette Residents can benefit. If there was someone out there with all the necessary qualifications, knowledge, and vision to get the job done, I am sure they would have gotten compensated for the hard work. Ricky Hardy is happiest when he is head hunting but needs to realize that all of these projects are being accomplished for his constituants and no money has been stolen or hidden from these projects.
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written by Ron , May 11, 2011 - 04:45 pm
Well, it seems everyone has plenty of negative to say about this matter. Why don't we look at all of the good these projects are going to do. Affordable new housing on the Northside for the elderly and families who never have visualized this in their future. I didn't see too many people stepping up to the plate to get all the t's crossed and i's dotted to get these projects designed, funded, and now built to needy Lafayette Residents could benefit. If there was someone out there with all the qualifications, knowledge, and vision to get the job done I am sure they would have gotten compensated for the hard work. Ricky Hardy needs to look at the benefits for his contituants and stop the head hunting.
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written by NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN , May 11, 2011 - 08:35 pm
Ron , don't be back tracking covering tracks, Ricky is on point, "DO NOT DISTURB !
Ricky when you go for the headknocker, let me know I have the Gaff
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written by NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN , May 11, 2011 - 11:37 pm
Ron, there are no Real Life Saints on this earth, its only in the movies.
Gaschassin ? Ga, how slow are you ?
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written by Soop. , May 12, 2011 - 08:33 am
Ron, so no matter how much is being grafted and then spread around (as some speculate), the ends justify the means?

I've said it before and I will say it again - if Gachassin made his money legally, then more power to him. BUT - even if it is legal - this shows why it costs so much for government to get anything done. Because instead of contractors and consultants and the like coming together and cutting their fees to the bone in service to a community project, these guys see a government project as a reason to double or triple their fees. And government, run by politicians looking for donations (even if not a formal quid pro quo), have zero incentive to change the process.

All the best,

Soop

All the best,

Soop
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written by NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN , May 12, 2011 - 09:09 am
Have you ever heard this, " Government is a business, well know this, it is the only "none-profit business on this planet that continues to exist, just think if the IRS monitored every city/parish expenditure and taxed same, would not the federal government have a sizable increase in government funds, and allow it to decrease the tax-payers burden, the waste of the local rats in city/parish/county sharing with their crony financial campaign backers eats up the same 40-50 % of taxes received from tax payers, which with strict monitioring the federal government could recoup more taxpayer dollars. "What a brainstorm, "Think how much more internal unrest throughout the world we could cause with a larger treasury.
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written by Concerned person , May 12, 2011 - 12:48 pm
The road from Gachassin will lead to Walter Guillory, John Freeman, Richard Becker and a few shadow people.
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written by realitycheck , May 12, 2011 - 01:05 pm
Ron: look at all of the positive and good these projects are going to do. Affordable NEW HOUSING on the NORTHSIDE

The economic divide in this community is great and this just widens it. Poverty should not be concentrated in any community in one area and in fact, that is a violation of HUD guidelines and could lead to major litigation as it has other large cities. With all the government "free money", there is no reason that more expensive land in better school districts couldn't be purchased for these projects. Also, any graft is a loss of quality in design or materials, reduced amenities and inadequate escrows for future maintenance. Well managed, without any graft or inproprieties or segregation of the community, the projects could be of higher quality and not lead to future burdens on the community.
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