Robideaux announces possible violation regarding LUS payments to LUS Fiber

Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux announces that he's immediately suspending payments from Lafayette Utilities System to LUS Fiber.

Robideaux says LUS has paid LUS Fiber over $8 million since 2011 for a power outage monitoring system. But, the validity of these charges and the method used to calculate the amount and motivation behind the arrangement are now in question as Robideaux announces he will launch internal audits of all other affiliated transactions.

He says he personally delivered a letter on Tuesday to the Public Service Commission self-reporting the possible violation of the Commission's Rules and/or the Local Government Fair Competition Act.

READ Robideaux's released statement BELOW:

“Yesterday, I personally delivered a letter to the Public Service Commission (PSC) self-reporting another possible violation of the Commission’s Rules and/or the Local Government Fair Competition Act. Since 2011, LUS has paid LUS Fiber in excess of $84,000 per month for a ‘power outage monitoring system’ (for a total exceeding $8M to date). The validity of these charges, method used to calculate the amount and motivation behind this arrangement are all in question. I am directing that these payments be suspended immediately until this issue is resolved and will launch internal audits of all other affiliated transactions. Transparency and accountability are essential as we move forward through this process. As it relates to PSC Rules and the Local Government Fair Competition Act, jurisdiction for investigating the appropriateness of these payments and determining the proper course of action lies with the PSC.