Sunday, May 19 2013 5:58 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:58:26 GMT
Source: Louisiana State Police
Authorities are urging motorists to avoid I-10 West and East bound at mile marker 25 due to a tanker truck on fire. Fire crews are still working to extinguish flames on an 18-wheel oil tanker. LouisianaMore >>
Louisiana State Police is investigating an oil tanker tractor fire on Interstate 10 that caused major traffic delays Sunday afternoon. More >>
Friday, May 17 2013 9:05 PM EDT2013-05-18 01:05:04 GMT
The Southwest Louisiana Tea Party movement began picking up steam in 2009 as members from throughout the five parish area began gathering for rallies and becoming more visible and involved in local governmentMore >>
The Southwest Louisiana Tea Party movement began picking up steam in 2009 as members from throughout the five-parish area began gathering for rallies and becoming more visible and involved in local government and the political scene.More >>
Friday, May 17 2013 8:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:55:58 GMT
An arrest has been made in the 1962 death of Mary Horton Vail. Vail was found dead in the Calcasieu River in October 1962, her husband, Felix Vail, claimed she was the victim of a boating accident. TheMore >>
Mary Horton Vail was found dead in the Calcasieu River in October 1962. Her husband, Felix Vail, claimed she was the victim of a boating accident.More >>
Friday, May 17 2013 6:17 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:17:04 GMT
Friday marks the anniversary of the first woman reported missing in the Jeff Davis Eight case. On May 17, 2005, 28-year-old Loretta Chaisson Lewis went missing. Three days later, her body was found floatingMore >>
Friday marks the anniversary of the first woman reported missing in the Jeff Davis Eight case.More >>
Friday, May 17 2013 5:47 PM EDT2013-05-17 21:47:38 GMT
More than 825 students - the largest graduating class in McNeese State University history - are expected to receive degrees at the university's spring commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 18,More >>
More than 825 students - the largest graduating class in McNeese State University history - are expected to receive degrees at the university's spring commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday at Burton Coliseum.More >>
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FRANKFORT, KY (WAVE) - The final report on the audit of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and its former commissioner is complete and the news is not good for the former Commissioner of Agriculture.
The special examination of the Richie Farmer administration was released Monday morning by State Auditor Adam Edelen. In the report Edelen said he found a "toxic culture of entitlement and self-dealing at Kentucky taxpayers' expense."
Edelen had decided to perform the audit in January after a request from James Comer, the new KDA commissioner. Some KDA employees had come forward with disturbing allegations of misappropriations of money and alleged general wrong-doing by the former commissioner.
Seven professional auditors poured through thousands of documents, including emails, invoices and reports from 2004 through 2011. More than 50 people were interviewed, including current and former KDA staff. Auditors even attempted to interview Farmer, who declined.
The special examination found that in 2008 Farmer had hosted an extravagant conference for the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture. That event alone ended up costing Kentucky taxpayers an estimated $96,000.
Farmer was also found to have used state employees to perform personal work at his home as well as to drive the former commissioner on shopping and hunting trips. On one of those hunting trips, Farmer reportedly shot a deer from the state vehicle he was in, only to direct the driver to go out and bag it for him.
The report contains are numerous other accusations of misuse of state resources and employees by Farmer for his personal benefit.
The final report will be handed over to the Kentucky Attorney General along with the Executive Branch Ethics Commission, IRS, Kentucky Department of Revenue and other state officials.
To see the complete audit go here to the State's Auditor's site.
Richie Farmer during the Lt. Governor's debate on KET.
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