Photo by TimesPicayune, Caption by BovineSubstance - Wizzard of OZ "Don't look behind the curtain"

As requested by Time Picayune, I have abbreviated their article so not to encroach on their copy write, etc.  No plagiarism was intended; in fact I left it intact to give them full credit.

I thank Time Picayune for their understanding and making their request in a friendly manner.

Jefferson Parish president sues his online critics

By Richard Rainey, The Times-Picayune

May 11, 2010, 8:45PM

Times-Picayune archiveInterim Jefferson Parish President Steve Theriot Citing defamation and “suffered embarrassment” allegedly caused by online comments posted at www.NOLA.com, Jefferson Parish interim President Steve Theriot has filed a lawsuit requesting the identities behind 11 user accounts on the website.

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In addition to Theriot, the parish government is a plaintiff in the suit. Theriot said the parish is paying for it.

Full Story at

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2010/05/jefferson_parish_president_sue.html

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Even more information as to the real reason can be found at…

http://slabbed.wordpress.com/

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I have gotten confirmation via the below email response that the intent is a “WITCH HUNT” to seek out the name(s) of the suspected individual(s) which is believed to be an employee of Jefferson Parrish.

My Beef is the Parish is paying for a personal vendetta, witch hunt with my taxes.!

Mr. Theriot has not shown in my opinion any proof of the damages he claims to have suffered.  I also believe that his lawsuit using the context of personal injury is falsified in an attempt to get the name or names of the poster, which is an abuse of our Legal System!

Should Mr. Theriot come forward with the proof that he has been damaged via the remarks, I will be happy to support the suit, but I don’t believe that will happen anytime soon.

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Councilman Redacted is in a council meeting at this time.  I did get a copy of your email to him and he asked that I reply with the following:

Councilman Redacted does not have all the specifics on the suit.  Mr. Theriot did make comments at the opening of the council meeting this morning.  The suit is specifically targeted at about 12 user names believed to be one person who is a current parish employee under investigation by his administration.

The Council was assured this is not an attempt to silence critics.

Councilman Redacted said he hopes this clarifies the issue for you.  He wouldn’t expect the TP to report accurately on this as they don’t want people to fear posting in forums which he understands and so does everyone else that “this is our right”.

Thanks

Redacted

Councilman Redacted Office

“Provide the services, leadership, and vision to

improve the quality of life in Jefferson Parish.”