This page will provide members of the Police and Fire State Supplemental Class Action lawsuit with status reports of all pending hearings and settlement negotiations.

LAFAYETTE POLICE AND FIRE CLAIMS:

Notice of Hearing and Posting of Information concerning the Settlement has commenced.  Information is located at the Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court,  Lafayette Police Department,  Lafayette Marshalls Office, Lafayette Fire Department.  A mailout has also been commenced which will provide an estimate of amount to be recovered by class members.

 NEW IBERIA POLICE AND FIRE CLAIMS:

The City of New Iberia legal counsel has been put on written notice of the intent of the police and fireman to request the payment of the wrongful taking of previous supplemental pay and we are waiting for a response from the City administration.

The legal counsel for the City of New Iberia has contacted us and we are in the process of meeting to discuss the claims of the Officers.

A suit has been filed in the 16th Judicial District Court on behalf of all the officers and parties affected. The city has requested a 30 day extension to respond to the suit. It is anticipated that discussions will commence with legal counsel for the City of New Iberia as to the route this litigation will  take and that route will be posted.

The attorneys for the city have filed an answer on behalf of the city denying the claims. Counsel for the police officers has commenced discovery with written interrogatories and request for production of payroll documents. We are also scheduling the deposition of the Mayor and the chief financial officer of the City.

Discovery request have been sent to all members of the lawsuit and we will be responding to the city.

Counsel for the City of New Iberia and plaintiffs counsel are scheduled to meet mid February to review documentation to establish claim amounts and parties entitled to participate in claim.

Documentation has been mailed to all class members for review concerning legal arguments made by the City of New Iberia concerning limitation of rights and claims.  Legal counsel upon receipt of responses will be meeting with legal counsel for the City to discuss resolution.

Hearing was scheduled for exceptions and after meeting with counsel for City of New Iberia and review of employment records a consent order has been prepared. After approval by the court members of the class will be notified of the entitlement ot participate. Additional meeting will be held for purposes of calculations of supplemental pay owed.