Evangeline Parish Sheriff Eddie Soileau announced today that
“Unfortunately, there is sufficient evidence to suspect that an employee has compromised some deposits of monies within the agency.” Soileau went on to say “The results of our internal efforts, which are ongoing, have been and will continue to be shared with the Louisiana State Police who have agreed to join the investigation to help determine the details of the theft. We have notified the Louisiana Legislative Auditor regarding this most serious matter.”
In September of last year another employee, the former Chief Civil Deputy of the Sheriff’s Office, Rebecca Devillier was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor with 7 years suspended; 5 years of active and supervised probation after her release and she was ordered to pay restitution to the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office in the amount of $114,981.00. Devillier was charged with performing her duties as the Chief Civil Deputy in an unlawful manner with the Sheriff’s Office by diverting funds and issuing checks to herself, unauthorized use of credit cards, etc. over a span of approximately 3 years.
Devillier is currently serving out her sentence at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in St. Gabriel, Louisiana. She was being housed at Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women but was moved due to recent flooding. With time off for good behavior, she could be released in January of 2019.
KVPI News will keep you updated on the situation as it continues to develop.