Grambling Mayor Subpoenaed by State Ethics Board
By: Meagan Fitzgerald
Updated: September 1, 2010
Joseph Handy and Joshua Jason own this barber shop in town. They've been in the same shop cutting hair for the last 8 years. But, these days they wish they could cut the drama out of city hall.
Joshua Jason said, "It's one thing after another, its been going on for sometime, every couple of months it's a new story."
Jason's talking about the story of missing money, when more than 45 thousands dollars was discovered missing from city hall back in 2008. The story about mayor Martha Andrus unlawfully firing the town accountant and police chief.
Now, Andrus was subpoena by the Louisiana Board of Ethics for possible violations. But, this isn't the first time. Back in June, the board slapped Andrus with a possible violation claiming she authorized payments from the town to the former clerk Elizabeth Jones.
The board says Jones was not entitled to those funds. Jason's business partner, Joseph Handy says it's those actions that continue to hurt the entire town.
Handy said, "It makes the town look bad, we don't have any other new businesses coming in the area because of the town, it looks bad."
Jason said, "It's disheartening for one to look at the situation seems like it won't end seems like she has too much power, almost unstoppable."
We tried to ask mayor Andrus about the subpoena. But, we were told she wasn't available. While the attorney for the board of ethics investigates the situation, citizens and local business people like Handy and Jason say they'll try and make the best of it.
Jason said, "I don't know when it will end, we'll see, elections are coming up."
Joshua Jason said, "It's one thing after another, its been going on for sometime, every couple of months it's a new story."
Jason's talking about the story of missing money, when more than 45 thousands dollars was discovered missing from city hall back in 2008. The story about mayor Martha Andrus unlawfully firing the town accountant and police chief.
Now, Andrus was subpoena by the Louisiana Board of Ethics for possible violations. But, this isn't the first time. Back in June, the board slapped Andrus with a possible violation claiming she authorized payments from the town to the former clerk Elizabeth Jones.
The board says Jones was not entitled to those funds. Jason's business partner, Joseph Handy says it's those actions that continue to hurt the entire town.
Handy said, "It makes the town look bad, we don't have any other new businesses coming in the area because of the town, it looks bad."
Jason said, "It's disheartening for one to look at the situation seems like it won't end seems like she has too much power, almost unstoppable."
We tried to ask mayor Andrus about the subpoena. But, we were told she wasn't available. While the attorney for the board of ethics investigates the situation, citizens and local business people like Handy and Jason say they'll try and make the best of it.
Jason said, "I don't know when it will end, we'll see, elections are coming up."
