re: This story should be titled LDWTF!

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I'm certainly not as pre-slanted by political associations.

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I read the full report and I saw a lot of dumb purchases, but nothing criminal, and the auditor agrees with me.

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$54,000 in purchases by a Venice fish sampling team for equipment that is no longer in LDWF’s possession as well as two missing pistols, a missing rifle and a missing shotgun.

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Everything they bought is stuff LDWF could presumably use

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LDWF used federal grant funds totaling $1.8 million to purchase a used aircraft without a proper inspection and did not exercise reasonable due diligence in using the aircraft. As a result, damages to the aircraft noted after the purchase could cost the state up to $580,600 in repairs.

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$188,805 in payments for sponsorship agreements, some of which may have been a violation of the Louisiana Constitution as a donation of public funds. In addition, LDWF state credit card users artificially divided 101 payments totaling $157,725 to seven vendors without obtaining prior approval from the Division of Administration.

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LDWF management and other employees did not comply with state law by improperly operating four unmanned aircraft systems (drones) with a total original acquisition cost of $7,799.

? The Office of Fisheries purchased three drones for $5,000 in August 2014 at the direction of Mark Schexnayder, deputy undersecretary, with approval from Mr. Pausina. Mr. Schexnayder stated that within a week after the purchase, LDWF received a verbal directive from the Office of the Governor prohibiting the use of drones by state agencies. Two of these drones (total acquisition cost of $3,333) were damaged after receipt of the Governor’s directive.

Mr. Schexnayder stated that although he was aware of the Governor’s directive he, Mr. Pausina, and a public information director used the drones for “unofficial” state business and brought the drones home to practice flying a “half-dozen” times. Mr. Pausina and the public information director confirmed the use of these drones at their homes. Memory cards from the drones contained videos and pictures of Mr. Schexnayder and Mr. Pausina operating the drones at their personal residences in the presence of their families.

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The Office of Wildlife purchased an additional drone for $2,799 in November 2014 for use at the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge; however, the drone was lost in the marsh at the Refuge. The purchaser claimed he was never made aware of the Governor’s directive. However, other LDWF employees, including an attorney and the Enforcement Division colonel, confirmed they were aware of the Governor’s directive but could not provide evidence that the directive was communicated appropriately to all LDWF employees.

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This shite is hilarious

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They played around with them, because its a damn drone. Would you have preferred they locked them in a warehouse for 20 years? Like I said, dumb, but I'm not seeing anything criminal.

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You can't think of anything LDWF could use a plane for after an oil spill? Not a single thing? Several of my friends were paid hundreds of dollars a day to ride around in boats looking for oil sheen

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FAA regulations, FAR Part 91, Section 409 provides that no one may operate an aircraft unless it has undergone a mechanical inspection within the preceding 12 months. As noted above, LDWF purchased the aircraft on September 3, 2015, with only 27 days remaining until its next mandated inspection was due. Though LDWF did not obtain the mandated inspection, it continued to operate the aircraft until December 17, including carrying passengers, in violation of FAA regulations

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LDWF received a verbal directive from the Office of the Governor prohibiting the use of drones by state agencies. Two of these drones (total acquisition cost of $3,333) were damaged after receipt of the Governor’s directive.

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Melancon has hinted at it multiple times that JBE has his eye on LDWF's budget. JBE just doesn't see LDWF as a priority, and wants to spend that money on state hospital contracts and in failing public schools.

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re: Embattled Charlie Melancon says Gov. Edwards supports his red snapper strategyPosted on 9/16/16 at 5:28 pm to U4ic get ready for the fund raiding to begin...

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