Louis Ackal recall, Iberia Parish, Louisiana (2016)
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An effort to recall Louis Ackal in Iberia Parish, La., from his position as sheriff was launched in July 2016. In light of a federal indictment involving Ackal, vice-chair of the recall effort Donald Broussard registered a recall petition with the Louisiana Secretary of State on July 1, 2016. Ackal, along with Lieutenant colonel Gerald Savoy and Captain Mark Frederick pleaded not guilty on June 15 to charges of conspiracy and civil rights.[1] The recall did not go to a vote because no signatures were turned in by the deadline of December 28, 2016.[2]
Background
Ackal and Savoy were indicted in March 2016 by the U.S. Justice Department in connection to the beatings of five inmates at the Iberia Parish Jail in 2011. Ackal was charged with one count of conspiracy against rights and two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law. The indictment read, "Ackal and Savoy conspired with each other and with other officers to assault five inmates, identified by the initials C.O., S.S., A.T., A.D. and H.G., and that members of the conspiracy failed to intervene and stop the assaults."[3]
Nine deputies pleaded guilty for their involvement in the beatings. In late March, Ackal pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.[4] In June, U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley announced that Ackal, Savoy, and Frederick would face additional charges for the beatings of two more men.[5]
Protestors gathered Iberia Parish courthouse in April demanding that Ackal resign, which he said he would not.[6] Ackal made the following statement about the case:
| “ | What they have, cannot be substantiated. It’s bull as far as I’m concerned. I’m very disgusted and aggravated that this is continuing and continuing. There still running grand jury which is costing the taxpayers quite a bit of money. But, let’s see if they can come up with anything else.[7] | ” |
| —Sheriff Louis Ackal[8] | ||
Path to the ballot
- See also: Laws governing recall in Louisiana
Proponents submitted the necessary recall paperwork to the Louisiana Secretary of State on July 1. It had to be approved by the secretary of state before they could begin collecting signatures. The recall group had 180 days to collect about 16,000 valid signatures.[9] The deadline to turn in the signatures passed on December 28, 2016. No petition was turned in.[2]
See also
External links
Recent news
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Footnotes
- ↑ The Daily Iberian, "Man starts petition to remove Ackal from office," July 3, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 KATC.com, "Recall effort against Ackal is dead," January 4, 2017
- ↑ The Daily Iberian, "Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal indicted," March 9, 2016
- ↑ KLFY News, "Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal pleads not guilty to civil rights violations," March 31, 2016
- ↑ The Advertiser, "Iberia Sheriff Louis Ackal faces additional inmate beating charges," June 9, 2016
- ↑ The Acadiana Advocate, "Protestors call for Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal to resign because of brutality probe and criminal prosecution," April 28, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ KLFY News, "Sheriff Ackal breaks silence on federal case against him and his leading lieutenant," May 31, 2016
- ↑ KATC.com, "Iberia Parish residents launch effort to recall Ackal," July 1, 2016
