Former Louisiana State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson has been cleared in an investigation into his alleged repeated misuse of department funds during his tenure.
A Legislative auditor’s report detailed department-funded "side trip" to Las Vegas for troopers, Edmonson living rent-free at the state police compound, and other violations.
Edmonson Attorney Gray Sexton said anything his client did not meet the threshold of an ethics violation.
"That investigation was based primarily on representations, or perhaps misrepresentations, contained in the legislative auditor's report," said Sexton. "I can assure you that if there were any inconsequential events, they did not elevate to the level of a violation of the law that warranted any further inquiry."
Sexton said if his client had violated any ethics laws, he’s confident that the Louisiana government or federal authorities would have pursued charges.
"Governmental agencies are typically aggressive in pursuing matters of this sort," he said, "and the fact that the decision was made not to pursue them conclusively dispels any notion that there was any egregious misconduct.'
Edmonson stepped down in 2017.
