At 4:30 p.m. Friday, Mandeville Mayor Eddie Price resigned.

In a short statement in front of the press, his family and some members of the Mandeville City Council Price said that the “distractions have become a burden to the city.” As a result he went on to say, “With great sadness, that I’ve made the decision to step down as mayor of Mandeville effective immediately.”

The distractions Price spoke of are local, state and federal investigations of which he is the focus. Last year, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office came out with a report that said Price misspent thousands of dollars, and accepted lavish gifts from companies that did business with the city. The audit said Price accepted golf trips and other amenities. He was also accused of accepting gifts from the Mandeville Police’s toy fund intended to buy Christmas presents for needy kids. The investigation into those allegations led to the resignation of Mandeville Police Chief Tom Buell.

PRICE

The audit was not the beginning of Price’s troubles. In April 2008, he was stopped by Causeway Police after he crashed through a toll-booth gate on the north end of the Causeway and drove for three miles south on the Causeway without his headlights. When he was stopped, he said he did not remember hitting the gate. The two officers called their superior, Causeway Police Chief Felix Loicano who allegedly told them to drive Price back to his house without any citations. An investigation led to the discipline of the two officers and the resignation of Loicano.

That incident brought about the revelation Price went through a similar episode with Mandeville police in 2006. Police Chief Tom Buell said his officers reported they pulled Price over on that occaision after he nearly collided with one of them on Monroe Street. Price admitted to drinking, but the officers chose not to issue a field sobriety test or a citation. Instead, they drove the mayor back to City Hall.

Since that time, Price said he has undergone rehabilitation for his drinking and he was given back his city-owned vehicle.

Then two months ago, Price was arrested and charged with perjury. State prosecutors claim that Price lied under oath as he was testifying in the assault trial of a friend of his. Price allegedly told the jury that he did not use his influence to try and change the charge against his friend from a felony assault to a misdemeanor. Price was booked and released ona signature bond. He maintains his innocence and is waiting to go to trial.

The FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office have been investigating Price for misuse of public funds. Some say that he resigned now because he may soon be indicted by a federal grand jury. Others say he is resigning now because he may have cut a deal with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

According to the Mandeville charter, the Council has to appoint someone to serve as interim mayor. They have 15 days in which to call a special election to elect a new mayor.

Price has been mayor of Mandeville for the past 13 years. Before that he served as councilman at-large for four terms starting in 1980. He won his first term as mayor in 1996, and was re—elected in 2000 and 2004.

Statement of resignation

I have had the privilege of serving the people of Mandeville for 29 years – 16 years as a Councilman and the past 13 years as Mayor.

During this time, I’ve worked with a dedicated City Council who has contributed greatly to a collective vision for our city. This vision was further realized by the hard work of the Planning and Zoning Commission and all the other committees that serve our city.

The City of Mandeville would not function without the commitment of the city employees who work diligently and who have given me support when I needed it, not only in the day to day operations of the city, but especially during the tough times when we had catastrophic storms.

Through the years, we have had achievements in which we can all be proud – achievements accomplished through the shared efforts of everyone. We have, together, been able to make Mandeville one of the finest cities in the country.

It has been my great pleasure and honor to serve you as Mayor. But over the past year, the distractions have become a burden to the city. It is important to me that the City of Mandeville continue in a forward, positive direction and be able to have the full representation that it well deserves.

So, it is with great sadness that I’ve made the decision to step down as Mayor of Mandeville effective immediately.

Respectfully submitted,

Edward J. Price III