Developer Faces Fine In Ethics Case

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — The state Board of Ethics and a Lafayette developer faced off at a hearing on whether he should face $1.5 million in fines on allegations of contracting with a public agency while still serving as chairman of its board.

Greg Gachassin is accused of signing two $500,000 consulting contracts for low-income housing developments while serving as chairman of the Lafayette Public Trust Housing Authority, which helped finance both developments.

Thursday's hearing before a three-member Ethics Adjudicatory Board was on a request by Ethics Board attorneys to fine Gachassin $1.5 million without further hearings and on a counter-request by Gachassin's attorney Gray Sexton, to dismiss the case, or at least part of it.

The Adjudicatory Board made no decision Thursday, taking the case under advisement.