NATCHITOCHES, La. — Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has filed a lawsuit against the Red River Waterway Commission, alleging the state's governor unlawfully filled a vacancy on the commission.
According to the Attorney General's Office, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards' appointment of Michael DeVille to fill the commission's Caddo Parish vacancy, went against the unanimous nomination of Carolyn Pratorby by the nominating entities. Edwards had appointed DeVille as a member-at-large to the commission, even though no at-large vacancy existed, the Attorney General's Office said.
"[This] legal action was done to ensure proper representation on the Red River Waterway Commission as dictated by law," Landry said in a statement. "The law commands that every region has a voice on this commission, so my office and I are fighting for fairness to northwest Louisiana.
"While many have made this issue political, I remain consistent that this is solely about fairness and the rule of law. Northwest Louisiana must be treated fairly, and the law must be followed."
In the lawsuit, Landry requests that the court prohibit the Red River Waterway Commission from recognizing DeVille as a member and for the commission to take all actions to secure Prator's appointment as a Caddo Parish member.