Inspector General: Quotes Were Fabricated

More Details on Why IT Director Arrested For Falsifying Records

by Woody Jenkins, Editor

BATON ROUGE — Louisiana’s Inspector General, Stephen Street, said the arrest of Central schools’ information technology director David McLaughlin was based on an investigation by his office that revealed the falsification and fabrication of public documents.

Street agreed to answer questions on the condition that they be confined to the contents of the warrant which resulted in McLaughlin’s arrest.

Under Louisiana law, a governmental body that seeks to purchase goods and services must comply with the Public Bid Law.  Over a certain amount, formal bids must be obtained through a bidding process.  Under that amount, the public body may obtain informal quotes from vendors in writing or by telephone.

The inspector general said that his office’s investigation revealed that on several occasions McLaughlin gave business to MIS Technology and manufactured quotes from other vendors.

Street said his investigators attempted to verify the quotes from the companies listed.  In some cases, the vendors said they did not provide a quote at all.  In other cases, the companies did not even offer the products listed.

Street said the three-page warrant also alleges that McLaughlin misled investigators and deleted emails.  “At first, he said he had emails that would prove that the quotes were obtained.  Then we found evidence that the emails were permanently deleted,” he said.

Media reports said Sheriff’s deputies went to McLaughlin’s work place, which was Central Middle School, to make the arrest.  Those reports said McLaughlin was arrested on a fugitive warrant.  However, Street said McLaughlin was not a fugitive and that he had not been given the opportunity to turn himself in.

Street emphasized that McLaughlin was innocent unless and until proven guilty.  He said it would now be up to District Attorney Hillar Moore to decide whether to prosecute the case.

Street said it is a serious crime to knowingly and intentional fabricate, alter, or destroy public records.  He said conviction of the crime carries a penalty of up to five years at hard labor.

Under Louisiana law, the Central Community School System has not yet been able to comment on McLaughlin’s arrest, except to say that he has been placed on administrative leave.