Latest news with #Ledet
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Landry administration shuffles leadership at DOTD, coastal authority
One of the new flyover ramps, pictured prior to opening, that connects I-10 to New Orleans' Armstrong International Airport officially opened on Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo credit: Daniel Gitlin/DOTD) Gov. Jeff Landry is making leadership changes at the state highway department that will go into effect Monday. In a statement issued Thursday, the governor's office said Department of Transportation a Development Secretary Joe Donahue will move from that post to become the agency's executive counsel. Glenn Ledet Jr. will leave as executive director of the Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority to become DOTD's new secretary. Also, Eric Dauphine, DOTD's current Lafayette region administrator, will become a deputy secretary for the department. 'Joe has done an outstanding job in one of the most thankless roles in state government. Louisiana's roads and infrastructure are in dire need of reform, and Joe worked every day to move DOTD forward despite the challenges,' Landry said in the statement. Ledet departs the CPRA after a year and a half as its leader and previously working as administrator of its operations division. The authority has state-level oversight of major coastal infrastructure projects in Louisiana. The governor credited Ledet with CPRA's implementation of the state's $50 billion Coastal Master Plan. The governor's office shared no information on plans for Ledet's replacement at CPRA. The incoming DOTD secretary's background includes 13 years in civil and environmental engineering, including management positions with private companies that have worked as contractors for the state transportation department. Ledet holds an environmental engineering degree from LSU and is licensed as a civil engineer in multiple Gulf Coast states. 'I am honored and grateful to Governor Jeff Landry for the trust he has placed in me to lead DOTD,' Ledet said in a statement. 'I look forward to working alongside the agency's dedicated team and partners throughout the state to strengthen Louisiana's transportation network. Together, we will focus on delivering efficient and safe infrastructure that meets the needs of Louisiana's residents, communities, and businesses both now and in the future.' Donahue has worked with Landry since the governor held the attorney general's post. In addition to his time at DOTD, Donahue has also been a staff lawyer with the state Department of Environmental Quality. His exit comes as state lawmakers have approved a package of Landry-backed bills that call for greater efficiency and accountability at DOTD, while also giving the governor more say-so on state highway spending. The changes will include a new deputy secretary of transformation. Landry's office has not clarified whether Dauphine is filling this position or an existing deputy secretary's position. Donahue is the third member of Landry's cabinet to move out of their role since the governor took office in January 2024, and the first to stay within state government. Madison Sheahan left her job as secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in March to become deputy director for U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The move reunited her with Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem, for whom Sheahan worked when Noem was governor of South Dakota. Last month, Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto resigned as DEQ secretary to take a job with a Washington, D.C. law firm. Though Landry remained consistent in his support for her, Giacometto's tenure was marked with strife within the department and several departures from high-ranking employees. A workplace survey from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor revealed pervasive low morale during her time in charge. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Three arrests made in $10 million staged crash scheme
LAFAYETTE, La. () — An investigation into a multi-million-dollar suspected staged crash scheme has led to the arrest of three men. On March 25, officials with the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft Unit Breaux Bridge Field Office, launched an investigation that led to the arrests of Justin Ledet, 45, of Rayne, Steven Thomas, 38, of Lafayette and Alfred Onezine, 37, of Breaux Bridge. The investigation began after authorities received a criminal complaint from the Louisiana Department of Insurance, following a report from a trucking company which suspected fraudulent activity related to a crash that occurred on January 19, in Lafayette Parish. Officials determined that Ledet, Thomas and Onezine conspired to stage a crash at the intersection of Willow Street and Teurlings Drive. They said Ledet, while operating the company's truck, intentionally struck the rear of a Chevrolet Silverado driven by Thomas, who was accompanied by Onezine and three juvenile passengers. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Officials said following the crash, all five occupants of the Silverado filed insurance claims against the trucking company, seeking a combined potential fraud amount of approximately $10 million in damages. On May 2, officials arrested Ledet and Thomas for automobile insurance fraud. Both were processed into a Lafayette Parish jail without incident. On May 29, authorities arrested Onezine on a warrant for three counts of cruelty to juveniles and four counts of automobile insurance fraud. Officials said during the arrest, Onezine resisted police and was additionally charged with resisting an officer. He was processed into a St. Martin Parish jail without further incident. This investigation remains ongoing. Blake Lively withdraws claims of emotional distress against Justin Baldoni Judge orders federal prisons to continue gender-affirming care for transgender inmates Lafayette organ transplant recipient advocates on Capitol Hill Three arrests made in $10 million staged crash scheme Amtrak train hits vehicle in Lafayette Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
New Iberia man loses appeal in 2022 murder of 22-month-old
LAFAYETTE, La. () — A New Iberia man who was in 2022 has lost his appeal of that conviction, authorities said. Christopher Ledet, Jr. was convicted by a Lafayette Parish jury on Dec. 13, 2023 for the July 2022 second degree murder of 22-month-old Kaceston Freeman. to life in prison without the benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence. Ledet appealed his conviction on March 14, 2024, arguing that there was insufficient evidence for the jury to have found him guilty. The Third Circuit Court of Appeal affirmed the conviction and life sentence on April 23. Ledet was babysitting the toddler, whose mother was his girlfriend, the day of his death. Prosecutors said Kaceston suffered a lacerated liver, a hemorrhage at the base of his brain, retinal hemorrhages and a scalp hemorrhage, and Ledet failed to report the injuries or seek medical care. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Kaceston's mother testified that she worked each day from 4-11:00 p.m., and almost always had left Kaceston with her mother when she worked. The defendant began dating Kaceston's mother in May 2022, and babysat Kaceston twice in July2022. After the first day that defendant babysat Kaceston, July 6, 2022, the baby was taken to the hospital by his mother when she discovered a bump on his head and with stomach problems. The couple split up over that incident, as the mother suspected that the medical issues had been caused by Ledet. However, after Ledet plead with her to take him back, the mother agreed and allowed Ledet to babysit Kaceston again on July 20, 2022, prosecutors said. That was the day that the most serious injuries were sustained by Kaceston, leading to his being discovered the following morning by his mother, unresponsive. Family who tragically lost child gives back to others this holiday season District Attorney Don Landry said he was pleased with the ruling. 'This case has always been about giving this family justice and keeping our community safe from a dangerous defendant who preyed on someone far too young to defend himself,' Landry said. Officials said Ledet is expected to continue to exhaust his appellate remedies, which include applying to the Louisiana Supreme Court for review of the Third Circuit's ruling. Hegseth 'proud' to end Women, Peace and Security program Border buoys may be deployed near Canadian border: exclusive Saved by soldiers, inspired to serve: A Babylift survivor's story Why are more older Americans staying in the workforce? Video shows rescue of boy with autism wandering on freeway Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
NOPD: Suspects accused of assaulting officers in French Quarter
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The New Orleans Police Department is trying to arrest two suspects, each accused of assaulting at least one law enforcement officer in the French Quarter. The cases are the latest ones to roll on the Wheel of Justice. Both cases happened within approximately a six week period in the Lower French Quarter around Barracks Street and French Market Place. Four crimes included in the latest Wheel of Justice report The first case happened on Feb. 19. New Orleans police have identified the suspect as 19-year-old Jason Ledet. Once arrested, Ledet will be booked with one count of aggravated assault of a peace officer. The second case happened on March 23. The suspect in that case is identified as 40-year-old James Gum. Police say once arrested, Gum will face three counts of aggravated assault of a peace officer. The NOPD told WGNO that no additional information was available regarding the circumstances in each case, including whether a weapon was used. Police did provide a picture of each suspect. NOPD searching for 'Person of Interest' in Tesla parade damage To see the latest Wheel of Justice report, including the images of the two suspects, watch the video at the top of this story. If you can help police locate either man, call CrimeStoppers at 504-822-1111. You don't have to reveal your name or testify in court, and you could be eligible to earn a cash reward. So far, more than 475 people have been booked after their cases rolled on the Wheel of Suspects accused of assaulting officers in French Quarter Watch: Covenant Christian improves to 29-0 with win over John Curtis Monday night Stock market continues to see volatility as Trump continues tariff trade war Tangipahoa Parish deputies search for teen with heart condition reported as missing Legal battle between oil companies and Louisiana parishes far from over Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
Man convicted of 2020 murder of Damian George in Lafayette
LAFAYETTE, La. () — A man will spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted of a , authorities said. A Lafayette Parish jury convicted Kendell Dice Ledet of second degree murder Thursday in the shooting death of Damian George at a convenience store on Sept. 19, 2020. Police said they found George shot multiple times in the 800 block of N. University Avenue. He later died at the hospital. Prosecutors said George stopped at the convenience store at 10:37 p.m. that evening. Ledet saw George and waited for him to exit the store, then shot him six times with a .40 caliber pistol. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Ledet was arrested in East Baton Rouge Parish by members of the U.S. Marshall's Violent Offender Task Force four days later. Sentencing will take place after a pre-sentence investigation has been received by District JudgeKrystian Earles, who presided over the trial. Ledet faces a mandatory sentence of life at hardlabor on the conviction for second degree murder. Trump hosts Black History Month event amid DEI crackdown Louisiana governor supports possibility of NHL bringing hockey team to New Orleans Man convicted of 2020 murder of Damian George in Lafayette IRS plans to lay off thousands Democratic governors sound alarm over proposed Medicaid cuts Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
