Ernest Nelson responds to ethics complaint filed by fellow juror Jay Scott

RAPIDES PARISH, Louisiana (KALB) – On Tuesday, October 15, KALB informed you of an ethics complaint filed by police juror Jay Scott, alleging that fellow police juror Ernest Nelson violated a law in the Louisiana Code of Government Ethics.

Nelson responded to these allegations and told a much different story.

In Scott’s Oct. 8 letter to the board, he explained that Nelson was appointed to the jury following the death of juror Theodore Fountaine in November of last year.

Scott claimed that Nelson, who is now running for the jury seat for which he was nominated, violated Louisiana Revised Statute 42, which states that no person appointed to a seat may qualify for that seat when of the next electoral cycle.

Scott calls for accountability and fair enforcement of laws.

In a letter to KALB, Nelson explained that any ethics complaint filed by Scott is an act of local politics. Nelson provided meeting minutes upon his appointment that show Scott appointed local pastor Randy Harris to fill the vacancy. However, this nomination failed due to lack of a second; This, Nelson said, is the basis of the ethics complaint.

Ironically, Nelson attended Pastor Randy Harris’ church.

Nelson’s letter also discusses previous accusations that led to the filing of an injunction against Scott earlier this year by police jury foreperson Joe Bishop.

That injunction alleges that Scott repeatedly made threats, harassed and used vulgar and obscene language toward other jury members, which Nelson describes in his statement as true ethics violations.

However, Nelson said what’s done is done and voters will decide on Nov. 5.

KALB reached out to Scott to see if he would like to respond. We will know more about this as it develops.

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