The Jefferson Parish inspector general has released a 30-page report highlighting alleged fraud and a lack of oversight in the parish’s Department of Building and Permits.
According to the report, the inspector general launched the review after identifying a pattern of alleged fraud involving third-party inspectors.
The report alleges criminal cases tied to falsified inspection reports, bribery schemes, and fraudulent permitting practices in Jefferson Parish and New Orleans.
Inspector General Kim Raines Chatelain said the department suffers from inadequate documentation, acceptance of unregistered or unverified inspectors, and inaccurate inspector-registration records.
Of the 94 third-party inspections reviewed, 19 lacked photos, 28 lacked dated geo-tagged photos, one used photos of the wrong property, and 70 used modified inspection forms, according to the OIG’s report.
“The most significant takeaway is that the Department of Building Permits is so lacking in controls that if the criminal activity found in New Orleans is happening in Jefferson Parish, we would not have the needed documentation and evidence to hold bad actors accountable,” Chatelain said.
The Office of Inspector General provided a copy of the report to the parish president and the director of the Department of Building and Permits for their response. They have not responded to the inspector general.
Jefferson Parish issued the following statement regarding the OIG report:
“After Hurricane Katrina, in order to facilitate rapid recovery of the region, Louisiana authorized third-party construction-related inspections, requiring inspectors to register with the State. Jefferson Parish subsequently required Parish registration so that we could better manage third-party inspections in the area. In 2023, the Administration along with the Parish Attorney’s Office, proactively began the review of the Jefferson Parish Code of Ordinances relative to third-party inspections with the goal of improving not only these inspections, but also Parish oversight of them. The Parish then brought in the Home Builders Association to work on a comprehensive ordinance to properly address this issue, including the establishment of clear criteria for Parish suspension and revocation of third-party inspectors not in compliance with Parish or state requirements. The ordinance also required additional documentation to further verify the accuracy of all inspections, including geo-tagged photos.
“In January 2025, the Council adopted the ordinance. Thereafter, the Parish notified all registered third-party inspectors advising them of the updated standards for inspections. In May of 2025, the administration met with third-party inspectors to identify issues regarding compliance with the new regulations to assist them in properly performing their inspections. The Parish meets yearly with the third-party inspectors to review and reinforce the proper guidelines for performing inspections. With regard to revocation and suspension, once the Parish is aware of a significant deficiency in inspection or improper credentials, we investigate the matter promptly and take appropriate action, including reporting to the State of Louisiana. The Parish has recently suspended and revoked multiple third-party inspectors for significantly improper inspections or improper credentials.”
READ MORE:New Jefferson Parish OIG report alleges fraud involving third-party inspectors
