Steve Theriot
Encyclopedia
Steven J. Theriot, known as Steve Theriot (born 1946), is a Certified Public Accountant
from Marrero
in Jefferson Parish
, Louisiana
, USA, who served as his state’s legislative auditor from 2004–2009 and as a Democratic
member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
from 1988-1996.
As a House member, Theriot served as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and the Fiscal Affairs and Governmental Operations Committee of the Southern Legislative Conference.
In 1993, Theriot, along with fellow lawmakers Kernan "Skip" Hand
, Ken Hollis
, and Jim Donelon
, all of the New Orleans suburbs, admitted to having given Tulane University
scholarship
s to their children. Legislators are allowed under an 1884 law to designate one Tulane scholarship recipient per year, but the extent of the practice of giving such awards, totaling $17,000 in 1993 dollars, to family members had been previously unknown.
In 1995, rather than seeking a third term in the legislature, Theriot ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer
. With 372,500 (29 percent), he finished second in the primary to fellow Democrat Ken Duncan, who polled 448,182 (34.9 percent). Mary Chehardy, a Republican
candidate from Jefferson Parish, finished in third place with 335,463 (26.1 percent). A second Republican, Gayle Joseph, trailed with 128,272 (10 percent). In the second balloting, Duncan defeated Theriot, 798,280 (56.6 percent) to 610,964 (43.4 percent). The incumbent treasurer, Mary Landrieu
of New Orleans, ran unsuccessfully for governor a year before she would win election to the United States Senate
.
, who had turned the office into a government watchdog from which an investigation was launched into the activities of the late Elections Commissioner Jerry M. Fowler
, who was defeated in the 1999 primary and later imprisoned for accepting kickbacks. Kyle left the post in 2003 to run for insurance commissioner
Theriot supervised a staff of accountants and investigators who review the books of more than 3,500 state and local government units and affiliated entities. The auditor is elected by a majority of the 144 members of both houses of the legislature from a slate of candidates submitted by a commission.
As auditor, Theriot clashed in 2009 with Jim Donelon, who became state insurance commissioner in 2006. The quarrel referred to access by Theriot’s office to e-mail
s and other department records. Ultimately, Theriot found misspending in the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, which led to the indictment
of its former president, Terry Lisotta. Ultimately, Theriot had to obtain a court order to inspect the records, which Donelon originally said were off limits.
Another Theriot audit began with an inquiry into a toy charity operated by the police department in Mandeville
in St. Tammany Parish
. The investigation found numerous financial improprieties in Mandeville City Hall and contributed to the political demise of Mayor
Eddie Price.
Theriot himself came under criticism when it was revealed but not included on his resume that after having become auditor he was a vice president for public finance of the firm Coastal Securities. The company, which handles bond issues for Louisiana public institutions, is subject to the legislative auditor's oversight. Louisiana state government watchdog C.B. Forgotston
of Hammond
called in 2006 for Theriot's resignation over the conflict of interest
.
Theriot received an associate's degree
in electrical engineering
from Delgado Community College
in New Orleans. He also procured a Bachelor of Commercial Science degree from Roman Catholic-affiliated Loyola University
of New Orleans. Since college, he has operated his own accounting firm in Gretna
, the seat of Jefferson Parish. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants, and the Institute of Management Accountants. He served on the Jefferson Parish Home Mortgage Authority from 1979–1982 and on the Jefferson Parish School Board from 1983-1987. He was a member of the board of West Jefferson Medical Center from 1997–2002 and chairman of the medical center from 2002-2004. He is married to the former Gwendolyn E. Dunn; the couple has three children.
Theriot's last day in the office was November 20, 2009. Theriot's successor as Legislative Auditor is his former first assistant, Daryl Purpera. House Speaker
Jim Tucker
credited Theriot with improvements in the auditor's office and the effective monitoring of the distribution of hurricane recovery dollars after the twin storms of 2005.
Certified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant is the statutory title of qualified accountants in the United States who have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional state education and experience requirements for certification as a CPA...
from Marrero
Marrero, Louisiana
Marrero is a census-designated place in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States. Marrero is on the West Bank of the Mississippi River, within the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area...
in Jefferson Parish
Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
Jefferson Parish is a parish in Louisiana, United States that includes most of the suburbs of New Orleans. The seat of parish government is Gretna....
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, USA, who served as his state’s legislative auditor from 2004–2009 and as a Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
from 1988-1996.
State legislator
Theriot was first elected to the District 84 House seat from Jefferson Parish in the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 24, 1987, when, with 5,577 (56.3 percent), he defeated two other Democrats. He was unopposed in 1991 and did not seek a third term in 1995, when the seat went to another Democrat, N.J. Damico.As a House member, Theriot served as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and the Fiscal Affairs and Governmental Operations Committee of the Southern Legislative Conference.
In 1993, Theriot, along with fellow lawmakers Kernan "Skip" Hand
Kernan "Skip" Hand
Kernan August Hand, Sr., known as Kernan "Skip" Hand , is a retired state court judge of the 24th Judicial District from Kenner in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. A Republican, Hand served in the "Division H" judgeship from the spring of 1994 until his retirement on December 31, 2008...
, Ken Hollis
Ken Hollis
Jesse Kendrick Hollis, Jr., known as Ken Hollis , was a Republican Party member of the Louisiana State Senate from Metairie in Jefferson Parish in the New Orleans suburbs...
, and Jim Donelon
Jim Donelon
James J. "Jim" Donelon has been the Republican insurance commissioner of Louisiana since February 15, 2006.Donelon won a full-term as commissioner in the October 20, 2007 nonpartisan blanket primary. He finished with 606,534 votes and defeated three opponents, the closest of whom, Democrat Jim...
, all of the New Orleans suburbs, admitted to having given Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
s to their children. Legislators are allowed under an 1884 law to designate one Tulane scholarship recipient per year, but the extent of the practice of giving such awards, totaling $17,000 in 1993 dollars, to family members had been previously unknown.
In 1995, rather than seeking a third term in the legislature, Theriot ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer
State Treasurer
In the state governments of the United States, 49 of the 50 states have the executive position of treasurer. Texas abolished the position of Texas State Treasurer in 1996....
. With 372,500 (29 percent), he finished second in the primary to fellow Democrat Ken Duncan, who polled 448,182 (34.9 percent). Mary Chehardy, a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
candidate from Jefferson Parish, finished in third place with 335,463 (26.1 percent). A second Republican, Gayle Joseph, trailed with 128,272 (10 percent). In the second balloting, Duncan defeated Theriot, 798,280 (56.6 percent) to 610,964 (43.4 percent). The incumbent treasurer, Mary Landrieu
Mary Landrieu
Mary Loretta Landrieu is the senior United States Senator from the State of Louisiana and a member of the Democratic Party.Born in Arlington, Virginia, Landrieu was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana...
of New Orleans, ran unsuccessfully for governor a year before she would win election to the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
.
Legislative auditor
Theriot was named the fourth legislative auditor on April 20, 2004, and assumed his duties a month later. He succeeded the Republican Dan KyleDan Kyle
Daniel Guin Kyle, known as Dan Kyle , is a businessman from Baton Rouge Louisiana, who served as his state's legislative auditor from 1989–2003, when he stepped down to run unsuccessfully for insurance commissioner. An active Republican, Kyle uncovered many instances of misappropriations in state...
, who had turned the office into a government watchdog from which an investigation was launched into the activities of the late Elections Commissioner Jerry M. Fowler
Jerry Fowler
Jerry Marston Fowler was a Baton Rouge businessman who served as Louisiana's state Elections Commissioner from 1980 until his defeat in the 1999 jungle primary. He was part of the Fowler family Democratic political dynasty...
, who was defeated in the 1999 primary and later imprisoned for accepting kickbacks. Kyle left the post in 2003 to run for insurance commissioner
Theriot supervised a staff of accountants and investigators who review the books of more than 3,500 state and local government units and affiliated entities. The auditor is elected by a majority of the 144 members of both houses of the legislature from a slate of candidates submitted by a commission.
As auditor, Theriot clashed in 2009 with Jim Donelon, who became state insurance commissioner in 2006. The quarrel referred to access by Theriot’s office to e-mail
E-mail
Electronic mail, commonly known as email or e-mail, is a method of exchanging digital messages from an author to one or more recipients. Modern email operates across the Internet or other computer networks. Some early email systems required that the author and the recipient both be online at the...
s and other department records. Ultimately, Theriot found misspending in the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, which led to the indictment
Indictment
An indictment , in the common-law legal system, is a formal accusation that a person has committed a crime. In jurisdictions that maintain the concept of felonies, the serious criminal offence is a felony; jurisdictions that lack the concept of felonies often use that of an indictable offence—an...
of its former president, Terry Lisotta. Ultimately, Theriot had to obtain a court order to inspect the records, which Donelon originally said were off limits.
Another Theriot audit began with an inquiry into a toy charity operated by the police department in Mandeville
Mandeville, Louisiana
Mandeville is a city in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 12,421 in 2008. Mandeville is located on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain, south of Interstate 12. It is across the lake from the city of New Orleans and its southshore suburbs...
in St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana
St. Tammany Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana, in the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area. The parish seat is Covington....
. The investigation found numerous financial improprieties in Mandeville City Hall and contributed to the political demise of Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
Eddie Price.
Theriot himself came under criticism when it was revealed but not included on his resume that after having become auditor he was a vice president for public finance of the firm Coastal Securities. The company, which handles bond issues for Louisiana public institutions, is subject to the legislative auditor's oversight. Louisiana state government watchdog C.B. Forgotston
C.B. Forgotston
Charlton Bath Forgotston, Jr., known as C.B. Forgotston , is an attorney, political pundit, and state government watchdog who resides in Hammond, the principal city of Tangipahoa Parish, a part of the Florida Parishes east of Baton Rouge in southeastern Louisiana...
of Hammond
Hammond, Louisiana
Hammond is the largest city in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 20,049 at the 2009 census. It is home to Southeastern Louisiana University...
called in 2006 for Theriot's resignation over the conflict of interest
Conflict of interest
A conflict of interest occurs when an individual or organization is involved in multiple interests, one of which could possibly corrupt the motivation for an act in the other....
.
Theriot received an associate's degree
Associate's degree
An associate degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by community colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, and bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years...
in electrical engineering
Electrical engineering
Electrical engineering is a field of engineering that generally deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. The field first became an identifiable occupation in the late nineteenth century after commercialization of the electric telegraph and electrical...
from Delgado Community College
Delgado Community College
Delgado Community College ' is a Louisiana public community college with campuses throughout the New Orleans metropolitan area, the East and West Banks of New Orleans, the East Bank of Jefferson Parish and on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain in Covington and Slidell in St. Tammany Parish...
in New Orleans. He also procured a Bachelor of Commercial Science degree from Roman Catholic-affiliated Loyola University
Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans is a private, co-educational and Jesuit university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Originally established as Loyola College in 1904, the institution was chartered as a university in 1912. It bears the name of the Jesuit patron, Saint Ignatius of Loyola...
of New Orleans. Since college, he has operated his own accounting firm in Gretna
Gretna, Louisiana
The city of Gretna is the parish seat of Jefferson Parish, in the US state of Louisiana. Gretna is on the west bank of the Mississippi River, just east and across the river from uptown New Orleans. It is part of the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, the seat of Jefferson Parish. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants, and the Institute of Management Accountants. He served on the Jefferson Parish Home Mortgage Authority from 1979–1982 and on the Jefferson Parish School Board from 1983-1987. He was a member of the board of West Jefferson Medical Center from 1997–2002 and chairman of the medical center from 2002-2004. He is married to the former Gwendolyn E. Dunn; the couple has three children.
Theriot's last day in the office was November 20, 2009. Theriot's successor as Legislative Auditor is his former first assistant, Daryl Purpera. House Speaker
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
Jim Tucker
Jim Tucker (Louisiana politician)
James Wayne Tucker, known as Jim Tucker , is the departing Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, and an ally of Governor Bobby Jindal. An investment banker from the Terrytown section of the New Orleans metropolitan area, Tucker's District 86 includes precincts from both Jefferson and...
credited Theriot with improvements in the auditor's office and the effective monitoring of the distribution of hurricane recovery dollars after the twin storms of 2005.