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St. Charles Parish MP accused of wage fraud

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New details have emerged in an investigation into three former St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies. Last week, former Chief Deputy Rodney Madere Jr., Captain Derek Pertuis and Sgt. Zain Stillinger were arrested. They face wage fraud, theft and obstruction of justice. “Why did it take 14 months to arrest them?” asks Rafael Goyeneche, head of the Metropolitan Crime Commission. Goyeneche revealed that a letter and pictures were provided to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office in May 2023. “The letter contains allegations that deputies were billing the Sheriff’s Office while working or driving to and from the camp in Mississippi, using Sheriff’s Office trucks to transport gasoline for recreational purposes,” Goyeneche said. “The Sheriff was informed that members of his department were using the printing press in his department to allegedly print fake parking passes for LSU football games.” The St. Charles Sheriff’s Office announced in a press release that Madere and Stillinger resigned from the Sheriff’s Office in February 2024. Pertuis was fired from the Sheriff’s Office in March. Goyeneche asked when the Sheriff’s Office began its investigation. WDSU Investigates reached out to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office for comment. They responded with the following statement: “The case is before the courts and we will not jeopardize the legal process by commenting further on this case or the investigation.” The three deputies have not commented on the charges. There are also questions about whether other employees are involved or if additional charges are coming.

St. Charles Parish, Louisiana —

New details have come to light in the investigation into three former St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office officers.

Last week, former Deputy Police Chief Rodney Madere Jr., Captain Derek Pertuis and Sergeant Zain Stillinger were arrested.

They are accused of wage fraud, theft and obstruction of justice.

“Why did it take 14 months for them to be arrested?” asks Rafael Goyeneche, chairman of the Metropolitan Crime Commission.

Goyeneche announced that a letter and pictures were submitted to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office in May 2023.

“The letter contains allegations that officers billed the sheriff’s office while working or driving to and from the camp in Mississippi, using the sheriff’s office trucks to transport gasoline for recreational purposes,” Goyeneche said. “The sheriff was advised that members of his department were using the printing press in his department to allegedly print fake parking passes for LSU football games.”

The St. Charles Sheriff’s Office announced in a press release that Madere and Stillinger resigned from their positions as sheriff in February 2024. Pertuis was fired from the Sheriff’s Office in March.

Goyeneche asked when the sheriff’s office began its investigation.

WDSU Investigates reached out to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office for comment. They responded with the following statement:

“The case is before the courts and we will not jeopardize the legal process by commenting further on this case or the investigation.”

The three MPs have not commented on the allegations.

In addition, the question is raised as to whether additional employees are involved or whether additional fees are incurred.

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