Gibsland, LA: Bienville Parish Sheriff John Ballance investigating allegations of misappropriation and misuse of public money in the town of Gibsland

GIBSLAND, La. (AP) — Bienville Parish Sheriff John Ballance says he’s investigating allegations of misappropriation and misuse of public money in the town of Gibsland.

Subpoenas delivered Monday to Town Hall seek bank records, official meeting minutes and assorted other financial information and documents, he told The Times (http://bit.ly/NPxa0N ) on Tuesday. He says he thinks he’ll know fairly quickly if the investigation will lead to criminal charges.

In May, three Gibsland aldermen alleged questionable spending and other problems in interviews with The Times. Other allegations about Mayor Odell Key included disappearing records, refusal to answer public records requests, hiring and firing of employees without board approval, and failure to follow through with board votes.

An auditor could not complete a thorough examination of the town’s finances this year and issued a rare “disclaimer”.

The mayor has no comment, his assistant, Trisherica Webb, told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

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