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INVESTIGATIVE UNIT: Former White Castle mayor arrested for alleged crimes while in office

2 years 10 months 4 weeks ago Tuesday, April 20 2021 Apr 20, 2021 April 20, 2021 12:15 PM April 20, 2021 in News
Source: WBRZ

PLAQUEMINE - Former White Castle Mayor Jermarr Williams was booked at the Iberville Parish jail Tuesday on criminal charges.

The WBRZ Investigative Unit has learned the Attorney General’s office is also involved in the case and the investigation was being conducted by the Louisiana Bureau of Investigations (LBI).

Williams is charged with the following: illegal use of a movable, filing false public records and malfeasance in office. The charges stem from his time while he was mayor of White Castle.

Watch must-see video of Williams leaving jail Tuesday

According to an affidavit for Williams' arrest, the LBI began investigating in September of 2020 at the request of the District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District.

LBI agents examined financial records associated with the town's finances. They found a letter that stated, "I, Gerald Jermarr Williams, took it upon myself to meet with auditors concerning my repayment I submitted to the Town in the amount of $2,233.68 on December 28, 2017." Williams claimed he should not have paid it and reimbursed himself in the amount of $2,233.68 on Dec. 6, 2018.

Certified public accountants and auditors hired by the town said they did not advise that Williams reimburse himself. One auditor commented that he was "offended" when informed Williams made such statements in the past.

On April 16, 2021, LBI agents spoke with Williams and his attorney. Agents advised Williams of his Miranda rights. Williams stated he returned the money a second time on November 25, 2019. When asked why he returned the money 11 months later, Williams stated that he heard the "town was talking about it."

The affidavit states, Williams filed false public records when he submitted a letter saying, "reimbursement for overpaid per diem."

Tuesday, an Iberville Parish sheriff's deputy was suspended after getting into Williams' car. That car was waiting in the front of the jail and then driven to the back near the rear of the jail. Sheriff Brett Stassi put a stop to it, and Williams was forced to walk out of the front door.

Jermarr Williams has been the focus of numerous WBRZ Investigative Unit reports in the past. In 2016, Chief Investigator Chris Nakamoto was arrested while asking questions in the lobby of town hall after exposing a large pay raise Williams gave himself.

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