IED, the lead debris contractor for Livingston Parish after Hurricane Gustav, is suing the parish for more than $52 million in unpaid work tied to the controversial post-storm cleanup. For a while, parish officials argued the parish was not responsible for work deemed ineligible for reimbursement by FEMA. But while the parish may make a new argument in court one day, the current parish president is not maintaining the old one. “Those contracts were written up so that the parish owed the money if the work was performed,” says Parish President Layton Ricks. “And the work was performed.” For now, IED isn’t moving forward with its suit; instead, it’s supporting the parish’s efforts to be reimbursed by FEMA. Ricks says if the agency doesn’t come through and IED moves forward, “the parish at that point would be faced with the decision: Who do we sue?” Then local contractors might try to sue IED, which also could be in financial trouble. “I just see this as a three-ring circus that nobody wins, except the attorneys,” because no one can pay, Ricks says. Police Jury Association of Louisiana Executive Director Roland Dartez says it’s his understanding that as a public entity, the parish can’t be forced to pay. —David Jacobs
Today’s poll question: Do you agree with Livingston Parish President Layton Ricks’ stance on the necessity of paying local contractors in the Hurricane Gustav debris cleanup dispute?
