The St Tammany Parish Council reports that a few weeks ago, the District Attorney’s office filed a motion to disqualify Ross Lagarde APLC as special legal counsel for parish government in the case of Military Road Revitalization Company, LLC v. St Tammany Parish Government.
Ross Lagarde was appointed by the Parish Council as outside legal counsel in the investigation into the Covington Trace Ridge Apartments due to an admitted conflict of interest by the District Attorney’s office.
Once a lawsuit was filed, the Council appointed the firm to represent parish government in the suit. The lawsuit arises out of a previously adopted moratorium on multi-family developments in Districts 1 and 2, affecting progress on the Covington Trace Ridge Apartments developed by HRI Properties, parent company of Military Road Revitalization Company, LLC.
In response to the motion filed to disqualify him, Mr. Lagarde filed a cross motion to disqualify the District Attorney’s office in the suit based on an apparent conflict of interest.
This week the motions were heard by Judge Burris, Chief Judge of the 22 Judicial District Court. After extensive testimony Judge Burris ruled that the DA was conflicted out in the matter due to their involvement in representing the Administration, including the department of planning and zoning, while also advising the Council regarding its moratoriums.
The ruling by Judge Burris acknowledges the authority of the Council under the Parish’s Home Rule Charter to appoint outside legal counsel where the DA has a conflict in representing both branches of government.
