Council rejects Holden probe

• By SCOTT DYER
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Aug 14, 2008 - Page: 1A - UPDATED: 12:48 a.m.

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An attempt by Metro Councilman Byron Sharper to launch a council investigation into Mayor-President Kip Holden’s police bodyguards fizzled Wednesday.

Only Sharper and Councilman Wayne Carter — who is running against Holden for mayor — voted in favor of launching a probe based on allegations in a mysterious flier that began appearing in East Baton Rouge mailboxes last month.

Sharper, who has been at odds with the mayor for the past two years, denied he was involved in the production of the mailer, which alleges Holden had an affair with a married woman and was beaten up by her husband.

The mailer also alleges that several police bodyguards complained about having to protect the mayor when he visits bars late at night.

Holden has denied the allegations, and has called for an investigation into the mailer. The mayor said Sharper had threatened to “drop a bomb” a few days before the mailers went out. In addition, Holden said, Sharper’s brother was handing out copies of the mailer.

Sharper denied any involvement, or that he was retaliating by calling for an investigation of the police bodyguards.

“The mayor said he wanted an investigation. I’m just trying to help him out,” Sharper said.

A Republican activist, Scott Wilfong, has said he mailed the attack piece, but has refused to identify the client who paid him to do it.

After Sharper’s motion to investigate the bodyguards was soundly defeated, he said he plans to obtain the bodyguards’ timesheets in order to see if they have been working late at night to protect the mayor.

Kim Brooks, a city-parish police legal adviser, said bodyguards usually provide protection to the mayor until about 10 p.m., unless there’s a special function.

While former Mayors Bobby Simpson and Tom Ed McHugh did not use police bodyguards or drivers, former Mayor Pat Screen did use them for protection, according to Councilman Darrell Ourso.

Ourso also noted that any council member can request police bodyguards if he or she feels threatened.

Voting against Sharper’s proposed investigation were Ourso, Ulysses “Bones” Addison, Pat Culbertson, Charles Kelly, David Boneno and Mickey Skyring.