[StBernard] St. Bernard Court Clerk Accused Of Shredding Public Documents

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Court Clerk Accused Of Shredding Public Documents

Newly Elected Court Clerk Asks State To Investigate Case

POSTED: 5:59 pm CST December 7, 2011

UPDATED: 6:21 pm CST December 7, 2011

NEW ORLEANS -- Newly elected Clerk of Court Randy Nunez said he wants the
state to investigate accusations that important court documents in St.
Bernard Parish dealing were shredded by the current clerk.

Nunez said he's concerned that current Clerk of Court Lena Torres could be
violating the law if the accusations were proven true. He said a bag of
shredded documents were found in the dumpster outside Torres' office.

"It's very concerning because, first of all, we've had people tell us, and
we have some proof, that they are shredding bags and bags of paper," Nunez
said.

While it's not illegal to shred some public documents, state laws said all
court clerks have to have a plan in place that lets the secretary of state
know what's being destroyed and when. It's called a "records retention
plan."

"The clerk of court for the parish of St. Bernard does not have on file a
record retention plan," Nunez said.

Torres denied the accusations against her, but she admits she does not have
a record retention plan in place. She said she is working on one and the
Secretary of State's Office paid her a visit last week to better explain the
process.

Nunez said Torres shouldn't be shredding until that plan is finalized.

"We are looking into filing some type of restraining order or mandamus to
stop the shredding from going on," Nunez said.

Nunez and his campaign manager, Lance Licciardi, said they found more than
20 other bags filled with shredded documents in a dumpster.

Licciardi said St. Bernard doesn't really have a record retention plan in
place.

"They have never, as far as I know, done much shredding of documents before
this election. Now, they've filled up a dumpster, not once but twice. (It)
is cause for concern. Why are they shredding this large volume right after
an election?" Licciardi said.
Nunez said he is asking Torres to give him a verbal commitment by week's end
to stop shredding documents and he will not take legal action.

Torres is in office until July 1, 2012.



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