Louisiana AG sues seven Caddo commissioners for open meeting violations

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has filed a lawsuit against seven Caddo Parish Commissioners, all Democrats, accusing them of violating the state's Open Meetings Law by issuing official resolutions without proper public notice or votes in public meetings. The controversy began when the commissioners presented a resolution welcoming Senator Bernie Sanders to Shreveport during his June visit, which was done outside of a publicly noticed meeting and later ratified only after an investigation was announced. Similar actions were taken with resolutions honoring former Mayor John Hussey and the 100th anniversary of the Strand Theatre. Murrill alleges these actions were deliberate attempts to circumvent transparency laws, denying residents the constitutional right to observe and participate in government decisions. She is seeking civil penalties, attorney’s fees, and an injunction to enforce compliance with open meetings requirements. The lawsuit highlights concerns about government accountability and the importance of public engagement in local governance.