BATON ROUGE - Ascension Parish Presidnet Kenny Matassa addressed the media for the first time since bribery allegations surfaced.

"I've got nothing to say," Matassa told people at a council meeting Thursday. "I'm doing my job and I'm going to continue doing my job."

At the meeting, Matassa began answering questions, but quickly exited the chamber through a back door.

Earlier, Matassa turned all contracts, despite the amount they were worth, for council approval.

"Our government's not crippled or broken," Matassa said. "I will continue to listen to your suggestions about parish government."

Ascension Parish Councilman Doc Satterlee said he planned to ask the council for a "no confidence" vote against Matassa, but legal council advised against it because there was not enough notice for one.

"My motion would have entailed if we had a discussion," Satterlee said, "and of course anything else anybody would have asked, would be, we have the power of the purse."

On his Facebook page, Satterlee said, if given the chance, he would push for a vote to take away Matassa's financial control. However, Matassa already handed over control by handing over contract approval to the council.

"At the time, I'll review it if it's ethical and legal," Council Chairman Randy Clouatre said. Clouatre sets the agenda for meetings.

Satterlee says he will continue to ask for the item to be put on the agenda when they meet again in two weeks.

"We need to build the trust of the people," Satterlee added, "and I've worked hard for four-and-a-half years to do so, and I refuse to have it destroyed over a matter like this.