CPA Board Records Reveal Freneaux Was Neither a CPA nor ‘Inactive CPA’

When Dave Freneaux announced his candidacy for Mayor of the City of Central on Aug. 22, 2013, he emphasized that he was a CPA.  During his campaign, he referred to himself as a CPA and at other times referred to himself as an “Inactive CPA.”  He also allowed himself to be called a CPA in public forums and the media without seeking a correction.

But the Louisiana Board for Certified Public Accountants says that he was neither a CPA nor an Inactive CPA.

The use of the term CPA and Inactive CPA are protected by law.  CPA is a license issued by the Board.  Inactive CPA is also a license issued by the Board.  It requires making application and the payment of an annual fee.

According to the Louisiana Board of Certified Public Accountants, Freneaux has not held a CPA license or an Inactive CPA license since Dec. 31, 2006.  La. R.S. 37:83 says that in order to use the title CPA, a person must have “a valid active certificate” issued by the CPA Board.

Criminal Penalties. If anyone violates this section of law, he is subject to a fine of up to $500 and imprisonment for up to one year or both, for each violation.  The misrepresentation of Freneaux’s status as a licensed CPA is relevant to the candidate’s credibility and compliance with ethical and legal standards.

But it has also been important politically during the current race for Mayor of Central.  Freneaux has repeatedly used the term CPA and Inactive CPA in order to bolster his claim to business experience and expertise.

On March 10, 2014, the Louisiana Board of Certified Public Account received an inquiry asking whether Freneaux held a valid active certificate as either a CPA or an Inactive CPA.

Later that day, he announced that he would no longer refer to himself as a CPA.  The board could have issued him a warning advising him to immediately cease and desist using the term CPA or else face disciplinary or criminal action.

In a statement, Freneaux said he had made meticulous efforts to make sure that he did not misrepresent his status as a CPA.  However, his statement failed to acknowledge that he had apparently been violating state criminal law by referring to himself as a CPA or Inactive CPA when in fact he was not licensed as either.

If he had wanted to refer to himself as an Inactive CPA, he could have applied to the Board.  However, he did not explain in his statement why he used the designation without seeking Board approval.

Freneaux contacted the Central City News on Wednesday, March 19 and made a statement on his use of the CPA title.  He said he has not used the term “CPA” in an attempt to practice or do the work of a currently licensed CPA.

When asked why he used the term CPA in his announcement statement when he was not a licensed CPA, Freneaux said, “Simple lack of careful proofing on my part in the midst of a brand new process for me of running for a public office… The reference was not meant to offer my services as a CPA or to claim to be practicing as a CPA.”

At the Mayoral debate on March 6, Freneaux was introduced as a CPA.  When asked Wednesday why he did not correct that introduction when he took the podium, since he was not a CPA, Freneaux said, “I did not even pay attention to the specifics of the introductions.  I’m not sure but it probably came from the same original press release from my announcement.”

Two days after the Mayoral debate, the Advocate ran a major story about the debate on Page B-1.  The story focused on Freneaux’s attacks on Shelton.  The lead paragraph of the story identified Freneaux as a CPA.  When asked whether he had asked the Advocate for a retraction or correction, Freneaux told the Central City News that he had not.  “I do not recall seeing the reference.  So I could not have asked for a correction.”

When asked why he has sometimes referred to himself as an Inactive CPA, which is a category of license issued by the CPA Board when he was not in fact an Inactive CPA, Freneaux said, “I have never introduced myself as “CPA Inactive” and have never printed that on any campaign literature.  I believe the only reference was a facebook comment…”

However, in the Jan. 9, 2014 issue of Central Speaks, Freneaux referred to himself as a “CPA Inactive.”

Freneaux says that six days ago he applied to the CPA Board and was granted a CPA Inactive license.

Earlier in the campaign, Freneaux, a Republican, refused to answer a standard questionnaire from the Republican Party of East Baton Rouge, seeking information on his background and his position on issues.  The party routinely verifies claims by Republican candidates on their residency, college degrees, military service, and licenses, in order to insure that Republican candidates are representing themselves honestly to the voters.

Louisiana Revised Statutes

La. R.S. 37: 83.  Unlawful acts

C.  No person shall use or assume the title “certified public accountant” or the abbreviation “CPA” or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviation, sign, card, or device tending to indicate that such person is a certified public accountant, unless the person holds a valid active certificate issued as provided for in this Part or a privilege pursuant to R.S. 37:94.

R.S. 37:84. Criminal penalties

B.  Any person or firm who knowingly violates any provision of R.S. 37:83 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be subject to a fine of not more than five hundred dollars for each violation or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release –

August 22, 2013

Contact:  Dave Freneaux at 225-262-DAVE (3283) or www.DaveForCentral.com and FaceBook and Twitter –

DaveForCentral.

Founder of Central Speaks Announces Candidacy for Mayor Dave Freneaux Pledges “Stronger Voice” for the People of Central

CENTRAL, La. –  Successful business owner, CPA and newspaper founder Dave Freneaux has announced he will run for Mayor of the City of Central in the April 5, 2014 election, pledging to give the people of Central a stronger voice in decisions that affect their lives.

Louisiana Board of Certified Public Accountants

Mark David Freneaux

‘Inactive CPA’ license expired 12/31/06

According to Board’s website on March 1, 2014, Mark David Freneaux has not been a licensed CPA or an ‘Inactive CPA’ for nearly eight years.

On March 10, 2014, the CPA Board received an inquiry as to whether Freneaux had an active valid license as either a CPA or an Inactive CPA.  Later that day, Freneaux announced he would no longer refer to himself as a CPA.