Spending questioned at Plaquemines public defender's office
Last Modified: Thursday, July 05, 2012 11:49 AM
BELLE CHASSE (AP) — The former Plaquemines Parish public defender is coming under scrutiny after the state board of public defenders raised questions about spending at his office.
WDSU-TV reports that the Louisiana Public Defender Board recently decided not to renew the contract of Peter Barbee, the Plaquemines chief public defender, after the board questioned if Barbee improperly gave himself a $30,000 pay raise. Barbee was earning $95,000 a year and gave himself the pay raise without board approval, according to the TV station.
Barbee said he did nothing wrong. "Never had a complaint, never had a problem and never had an issue since I been here," Barbee said.
The state board has asked the state legislative auditor's office to investigate.
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