Mike Edmonson testifies before La. State Police Commission

Former Louisiana State Police Supt. Col. Mike Edmonson, who was the longest-serving state police chief before stepping down last year, testified Friday before the Louisiana State Police Commission in Baton Rouge.

Edmonson announced his retirement in 2017 after it was learned that several state troopers made stops at the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas as they traveled to a law enforcement conference in California. Edmonson was also accused of claiming New Orleans hotel rooms set aside for working state troopers for personal use during Mardi Gras and was criticized for living on the Louisiana State Police compound with his wife without paying nothing or itemizing it as a benefit on his tax returns.

Among those who demanded his resignation and called for an investigation was U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, who suggested that Edmonson reimburse the state for the unclaimed benefits he received by living on the LSP compound.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards later defended Edmonson’s use of the living facilities at the compound, saying that the superintendent broke no law by doing so.

The Louisiana State Police have also come under fire after a FOX 8 News investigation that showed several state troopers claimed overtime pay for hours when they had not left their homes.

Although he later denied doing so, three state troopers claim Edmonson authorized the costly trip that used public funds and allowed the troopers to visit the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas while hitting taxpayers with a whopping overtime pay bill.

Edmonson testified that he did not order four troopers to take a Las Vegas route to San Diego for the police conference, but says they did discuss it. He testified that he thought the troopers driving was more cost-effective.

He also said that the troopers were demoted after the Vegas trip and were “competent” individuals who had the option to go wherever they wanted.

The former LSP suit. told FOX 9 News that he did not approve the vacation-like stops at a casino and other tourist destinations. The trip was paid for by taxpayers.

But a report from the state Department of Public Safety and Corrections said that Edmonson was aware of the side trip. And smartphone texts and photos, sent from the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam to Edmonson by the wife of one of those troopers, appear to support that claim.

During his testimony, Edmonson said he did see a picture of the troopers at the Grand Canyon, but had no problem with it.

This article originally published in the July 16, 2018 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.