Under cloud of controversy, prisons chief stands by 'deal' made in harassment case

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BATON ROUGE – Although the governor's ordered a policy review, prison officials stand behind an audio recording obtained by and broadcast on WBRZ newscasts recently where high-ranking bosses were heard trying to make a deal with an employee accused of sexual harassment. "[We're] basically giving you the opportunity that you can resign and have all this stuff go away," prisons undersecretary Thomas Bickham was recorded telling the department's head doctor. "I give you my word, there will be nothing in your folder and you can use me as a reference,” he said. In an interview Thursday, Department of Corrections Secretary James Leblanc said there will be no discipline over the perceived “deal.”

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In a rare afternoon sit-down interview, LeBlanc and Bickham made themselves available to answer questions about the way the case was handled against Dr. Raman Singh. Singh was at a conference in October in Lake Charles when an employee accused him of putting his arm on her and saying, "I love you." Singh maintained his innocence and did not take the deal to quit. Instead, he demanded an investigation and was eventually fired.

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Now, the department is searching for its next Medical Director. The husband of one of Singh's accusers will be considered for the position. "Let me say this about her husband, he might apply, but I'm announcing this nationally," Leblanc said

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