Plaquemines Parish Sheriff Jiff Hingle announced today that he will not see re-election in October, ending a 20-year run as the parish's chief law enforcement officer amid concerns about his connections to a contractor. Daniel Erath, The Times Picayune archivePlaquemines Parish Sheriff Jiff Hingle "I want the people of Plaquemines Parish to know that it is with a heavy heart...
Plaquemines Parish Sheriff Jiff Hingle announced today that he will not see re-election in October, ending a 20-year run as the parish's chief law enforcement officer amid concerns about his connections to a contractor.
Plaquemines Parish Sheriff Jiff Hingle "I want the people of Plaquemines Parish to know that it is with a heavy heart that I have reached this decision," Hingle said in a written statement. "Simply put, I love being sheriff. On behalf of my family, the employees of the Sheriff's Office and myself, I want to thank you for the honor of electing me sheriff for five terms."
Hingle has served as sheriff since 1991. He also served an earlier stint in the office until 1983, when he was defeated at the polls by Ernest Wooten. Hingle returned to unseat Wooten in 1991. Wooten, now a Belle Chasse state representative listing his party affiliation as Independent, has announced plans to once again run for the seat.
In his statement, Hingle said he sought to promote public safety and that he is "proud of the job that the men and women of the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Office have performed over the years in making our parish one of the safest in Louisiana."
Hingle's departure, however, comes during scrutiny of a contractor he hired to oversee construction of a new jail in Davant. Construction on the $89 million facility began this week.
Records previously obtained by The Times-Picayune show that Benetech, a construction management firm owned by Aaron Bennett, used ethically questionable connections with lawyers for local government agencies to land lucrative public contracts, including the jail project.
In Plaquemines, a lawyer for Benetech also worked for Hingle in preparing the parish's request for proposals on the jail work. Bennett also paid for meals, trips and entertainment for Hingle in 2008, according to records and witnesses.
Benetech proceeded to turn in the only application for the work and was selected for the job in 2007, raising the specter that the lawyer tailored the job description for Benetech.
Later when the parish altered the scope of work, a different lawyer handled the process, the rebidding produced several applicants, and a different contractor won the work.
Records also link Bennett to a city attorney in New Orleans where Benetech has won business. And his name arose in this year's corruption trial of former New Orleans City Hall technology contractor Mark St. Pierre. Testimony indicated Bennett was a business associate who channeled public money to St. Pierre. Bennett earlier said he was interviewed by the FBI but not accused of a crime.
Hingle did not address concerns about Benetech in his announcement. Hingle and other officials from the Sheriff's Office did not respond to messages Friday.