Jerry Larpenter Explained

Jerry Joseph Larpenter is the former sheriff and tax collector of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. In August 2016, it was reported that Larpenter's deputies raided the residence of a local anti-corruption blogger on criminal defamation charges after posts examining the business relationships of local parish politicians.^{[1] [2]} The anti-corruption blogger claimed that an insurance contract for parish government was awarded without going through a public bid process and without a required ordinance.^[3] Local newspaper The Daily Comet pointed out that Larpenter's wife is employed by the same insurance business.^[4]

On August 25, 2016, the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeals quashed the search warrant use in the raid of the anti-corruption blogger because the warrant lacked probable cause of a criminally actionable offense.^[5]

In July 2017, a judge for the US District Court in Louisiana handed down a ruling that strips Larpenter of immunity in the lawsuit brought against him by the local anti-corruption blogger for violating her rights.^{[6] [7]}

In August 2017, Larpenter settled the civil suit filed against him by the local anti-corruption blogger, who had previous received $50,000 from Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove for his role in the case.^{[8] [9]}

In March 2019, Larpenter announced that he would not seek re-election, leaving office at the end of his term in June 2020.^[10]

A political opponent previously accused Larpenter of using parish government money for personal expenses, such as hunting trips.^[11]

Notes and References

1. News: Moore . Katie . Hammer . David . Terrebonne Sheriff raids house to expose 'Esposedat' anti-corruption blog . . August 3, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160806004043/http://www.wwltv.com/news/local/terrebonne-sheriff-raids-house-to-expose-esposedat-anti-corruption-blog-1/286912409 . August 6, 2016 . August 6, 2016 .
2. News: LaChance . Naomi . Sheriff Raids House to Find Anonymous Blogger Who Called Him Corrupt . . August 4, 2016 . live . https://archive.today/20160805120145/https://theintercept.com/2016/08/04/sheriff-raids-house-to-find-anonymous-blogger-who-called-him-corrupt/ . August 5, 2016 . August 6, 2016 .
3. News: Hammer . David . Terrebonne judge stands by search warrant to unmask online commenter, and is quoted in saying "If you're gonna lie about me and make it under a fictitious name, I'm gonna come after you," (WWLTV Interview).. . August 5, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160806194817/http://www.wwltv.com/news/local/terrebonne-judge-stands-by-search-warrant-to-unmask-online-commenter/288554567 . August 6, 2016 . August 6, 2016 .
4. News: Moore . Katie . Hammer . David . Disputed insurance contract heads to Terrebonne Parish Council on Monday . . August 6, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160806193202/http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20160806/ARTICLES/160809815/-1/apf?template=printpicart . August 6, 2016 . August 6, 2016 .
5. News: Sheriff's Raid to Find Blogger Who Criticized Him was Unconstitutional, Court Rules . The Intercept . August 26, 2016 .
6. News: Federal Court Strips Immunity From Sheriff Who Tried To Silence A Critic By Having Him Arrested . techdirt . August 8, 2017 .
7. News: No qualified immunity in First Amendment and Fourth Amendment lawsuit against Louisiana sheriff in criminal libel case . The Washington Post . July 20, 2017 .
8. News: Sheriff Forced to Pay After Ordering Raid on Blogger Who Criticized Him . Reason . August 8, 2017 .
9. News: Terrebonne Sheriff reaches 'compromise' with blogger in 1st Amendment lawsuit over illegal search . 4WWL . September 7, 2017 .
10. News: Terrebonne sheriff announces he will not seek re-election . houmatoday.com . March 30, 2019 .
11. News: Sheriff of 'Cajun Justice' Called Out on Football Trips, Baby Oil . NOLA Defender . July 29, 2013 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160806200815/http://www.noladefender.com/content/s34heriff-ca56jun-justice-called-out-fuel-football . August 6, 2016 . August 6, 2016 .