RIDGECREST, La. (KNOE 8 News)- An audit report released to the public Monday, shows that the town of Ridgecrest in Concordia Parish owes thousands in back taxes and is in violation of two state laws. The annual audit received so many bad findings, they received a "D" rating.
"My personal opinion is there was more than that." said Mayor of Ridgecrest Dwayne Sikes.
The poor audit findings are no surprise to Mayor Dwayne Sikes, who was appointed to his office after previous Mayor Kevin Graham resigned after 2010's audit revealed state law violations and theft. "It's been looking up and it's going to keep looking up as long as I'm sitting here." said Sikes.
But 2011's findings reflect the previous administration's issues such as financial reporting problems, missing funds in the thousands, and budget and payroll tax law violations.
It's a mess former mayor Kevin Graham and former town clerk Dana DeLaughter are accused of creating. Both were indicted in late June for crimes including malfeasance, theft of town funds and false accounting. But Sikes is committed to straightening out the town.
"It's going to be an honest run, but I hope to clean this town up, I'd like to get it back like I was when I was a kid." In order to correct the findings, the town must pay two years worth of back taxes and correct the messy book keeping by outsourcing the work to independent CPA's. "Our finances all started straightening up after I took office and sent the town clerk home." said Sikes.
Cindy Dillon, the town clerk who replaced Delaughter, was fired Thursday for insubordination, we're told this is unrelated to the audit findings.
Saturday, May 25 2013 1:48 PM EDT2013-05-25 17:48:48 GMT
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - University of Louisiana at Monroe Police are searching for a suspect in a residential burglary in the 4100 block of Bon Aire Drive.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - University of Louisiana at Monroe Police are searching for a suspect in a residential burglary in the 4100 block of Bon Aire Drive.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:40 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:40:16 GMT
RIVER RIDGE, La. (AP) - Jefferson Parish sheriff's deputies say a 52-year-old man apparently shot his 16-year-old son in the head and then turned the gun on himself in their home in River Ridge.
RIVER RIDGE, La. (AP) - Jefferson Parish sheriff's deputies say a 52-year-old man apparently shot his 16-year-old son in the head and then turned the gun on himself in their home in River Ridge.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:47 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:47:06 GMT
MOREHOUSE PARISH, La. (KNOE 8 News) - A search is underway for an inmate who escaped from Morehouse Parish.25-year-old Christopher Allen Jones walked away from a work detail on Friday afternoon. Neighboring
MOREHOUSE PARISH, La. (KNOE 8 News) - A search is underway for an inmate who escaped from Morehouse Parish.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - A Monroe lawmaker is pushing a bill to allow Louisiana's public school students to pray before and after school and even invite religious leaders on campus? Our Nolan Crane explains.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - A Monroe lawmaker is pushing a bill to allow Louisiana's public school students to pray before and after school and even invite religious leaders on campus? Our Nolan Crane explains.
