Judge West rules Chief Lartigue can run

By: TONY MARKS
Editor

Finding doubt as to the residency of Ville Platte Police Chief Neal Lartigue was Judge Chuck West in a case filed by challenger, Al Perry Thomas.
Judge West ruled, according to the law, any doubt should be resolved by the voters. The judge further found state law favors a wide variety of candidates for an election.
As a result of the ruling, Chief Lartigue is allowed to run for re-election. However, Thomas’ attorney, Anne E. Watson, filed an appeal with the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal.
After the lunch recess, Wednesday’s hearing resumed with the testimony of Chief Lartgue’s former wife, Fonda. She testified she moved out of the residence located at 1600 L’Anse de Cavalier on February 12, 2021, and that Chief Lartigue continued to reside there. She further testified the couple never lived at 801 N. Chataignier St. in Ville Platte.
Under cross examination, Chief Lartigue testified he filed for divorce in 2021 and asked for exclusive use of 1600 L’Anse de Cavalier. As his testimony was inconsistent with previous testimony during a hearing in the divorce proceeding held in December 2021 before Judge Gary Ortego.
During the hearing on Wednesday, Chief Lartigue testified the property at the N. Chataignier St. address was for his mother and her first husband, Freddy Malveaux. He further testified he did not know the property had been adjudicated to the Evangeline Parish Police Jury in a tax sale in September 2020.
After the plaintiff’s attorney rested, Chief Lartigue’s attorney, Jonathan Vidrine, moved for a directive verdict. Judge West denied the motion.
The testimony of Gene Lavigne, a first cousin of Chief Lartigue was then heard. Lavigne stated he went to the N. Chataignier St. address a year and a half to two years ago because Chief Lartigue allows him to park a boat there.
Robert Soileau, the assistant manager of First Student, then testified he knows 801 N. Chataignier St. is Chief Lartigue’s domcile and that he has visited the residence three to five times since July 2021.
Chief Lartigue later returned to the witness stand and stated under oath he first moved to 801 N. Chataignier St, in 2004 or 2005, he is registered to vote at 801 N. Chataignier St., he gets mail at the corresponding address of PO Box 117, and has 801 N. Chataignier St. as the address on his insurance policy with Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
He further testified he always intended his domicile to be 801 N. Chataignier St. and that he never received a tax notice from the parish.
Watson, Thomas’ attorney, then again interrogated Chief Lartigue under cross examination. At that time, she inquired about what was previously described as unlivable conditions of the residence at 801 N. Chataignier St. The chief stated he never got around to fix up the house. However, on rebuttal testimony, Fonda Lartigue claimed it did not appear anybody was spraying for bugs or taking a shower at the residence when she went the day before the hearing with Watson’s legal secretary to take pictures inside the residence.