Political Illusions of the Cajun Mafia

Embattled Angola warden Burl Cain target of new criminal investigation | The Advocate … Page 2 of 5
http://theadvocate.com/news/opinion/14328242-123/embattled-angola-warden-burl-cain-tar… 1/3/2016
11 Comments“As you’re aware, there have been several allegations about
Warden Cain over the last several weeks. In the last week, there
have been announcements about reviews by multiple agencies,”
LeBlanc said in his brief remarks, highlighting that the security of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola is his
highest priority.
Last month, The Advocate reported Cain, who served as head of the MORE ON THIS TOPIC
storied penitentiary for two decades, did real estate deals with family
and friends of two inmates who, during their sentences at Angola, were
Legal loophole allowed
offered favorable treatment not available to most offenders. The
Angola warden Burl Cain to
transactions appeared to go against corrections rules prohibiting
receive nearly $800,000 in
“nonprofessional relationships” between employees and inmates’
retirement benefits
friends and relatives. Based on the articles, the corrections department
◾ The fall of Burl Cain: How one last side deal led
announced it would do an internal review that would be complete by
to Angola warden's undoing
Christmas. LeBlanc said Friday the results would be handed to the
Legislative Auditor’s Office — which is conducting its own review — before they’re publicized.
But Greg Phares, chief investigator at the Inspector General’s Office, reiterated that the new criminal probe concerns a
different matter involving Cain than the real estate transactions reported by The Advocate.
State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson, who was recently reappointed by incoming Gov. John Bel Edwards,
said his investigators are pulling records at Angola, including timesheets of corrections employees, in connection with
the new probe.
“Keep in mind that we deal with facts,” Edmonson said. “To maintain the stability of that prison is paramount. … It’s so
easy to be caught up in the moment of rumors and things that are being said, but until we can base them on facts, please
give us the opportunity to work with those.”
The Edwards team has not made an announcement yet about whether LeBlanc will stay on as corrections secretary or
whether a new person will be appointed. LeBlanc and Cain, who have worked together for some 30 years, are close
professional and personal allies, and LeBlanc recused himself from the corrections department’s internal investigation
into Cain.
Inspector General Stephen Street said Friday that in his investigations over the years, “Secretary LeBlanc and his staff
have always been most helpful, most cooperative. We believe a joint investigation in this matter, along with Col.
Edmonson at State Police, will actually help us get to the bottom of this situation more quickly.”
No deadline for the criminal probe was announced.
Efforts to reach Cain on Friday were unsuccessful.
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