Audit finds City of Bogalusa improperly paid employees for work not performed

BOGALUSA, La. ( WGNO ) — The results of an audit into the City of Bogalusa’s use of public funds have been released.

According to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, the city has not submitted its 2022 annual audit that was originally due on June 30, 2023.

On December 30, 2022, former Mayor Wendy O’Quin Perrette approved a bonus to be issued to city employees totaling $468,125. According to the audit, the bonuses were prohibited due to some employees not being eligible or the payments not being tied to actual work performed.

Additionally, the city’s payroll between October 2022 and April 2024 indicated 21 payouts for accumulated unsaved vacation and sick leave hours equaling $368,132. It was noted that the city allowed employees to carry over hours instead of following the policy of paying employees for their unused time.

The payment of bonuses may have violated the Louisiana Constitution, which prohibits the donation of public funds, the Bogalusa City Charter, and state law.

Louisiana Legislative Audit

Between January 2022 and September 2023, the city reportedly donated $37,600 of public funds to five organizations without proper documents. LLA officials also claimed some employees were paid for hours they did not work.

Additionally, the audit reports that the city did not comply with the Local Government Budget Act since records did not demonstrate that budgets were properly demonstrated in a timely manner for the fiscal year.

LLA officials report that a review of the city’s administration to ensure compliance with the city’s charter determined the following:

• The administration failed to submit contracts to the City Council for approval
• The administration failed to obtain council approval for director’s salaries and its reorganization plan to hire new positions
• Commissions created by the council were dissolved without council action
• The city failed to reduce certain public works contracts and hired contractors who did not have the appropriate licenses required by state law.

LLA officials recommended that city officials consult with the legal council to determine the proper actions needed to recover improper compensation paid to employees.

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