Former LDWF couple questioned for items missing

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A former Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries employee offered for sale on the internet fishing equipment matching the description of items purchased by a team managed by her husband, also a department employee, with a state credit card in the wake of the BP oil spill, according to a report issued Monday morning.

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Newman, who began working for the department in August 2010, was authorized to make the purchases by then Fisheries Division Director Randy Pausina to help the agency collect offshore fish samples to be tested for impacts from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Department employees told investigators that Newman was in charge of the Venice tissue-collection team, which included Savoy, his then girlfriend.

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The team purchased $677,585 worth of boating equipment, fishing and water sports equipment, vehicle equipment, household supplies and groceries, clothing, cameras and other items. Newman and Savoy made $475,945 worth of those purchases, auditors found.

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Newman and Savoy appeared in 23 photos on Shimano's Facebook page, showing the department employees fishing with Shimano gear and displaying the fish they caught. Shimano also featured the couple in an online video promoting Shimano gear. A department biologist told investigators the video was taken on a department boat.

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Mr. Newman and Ms. Savoy are now owners of a charter fishing business.

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