Political clashes continue at flood protection agency as two more members depart

By Thanh Truong

Source: FOX 8

June 25, 2025

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – As southeast Louisiana moves deeper into hurricane season, political tension is raising concerns about flood protection readiness. The organization responsible for operating crucial floodgates on the east bank of the Mississippi River is seeing a shake-up in leadership that some say could impact storm response.

The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East (SLFPA-E) operates and maintains critical hurricane defenses. But at a June 17 meeting, storm preparedness took a backseat to infighting and accusations.

“This board will have you believe they were uber focused on flood protection. I disagree,” said Roy Carrubba, president of the board of commissioners, who was appointed last year by Gov. Jeff Landry.

His appointment marked a departure from the board’s previous structure, which relied on a vetting process and Senate confirmation.

Since Carrubba’s appointment, several commissioners have resigned. Two more, including Commissioner Richard Duplantier, will leave at the end of June. In his final remarks, Duplantier highlighted the authority’s successful track record.

“We have had over 18 tropical events where we have had to manage and protect the citizens of New Orleans and we have not failed,” Duplantier said. “I am very proud of what we’ve done as an organization, and it is not just because one person was helicoptered into this agency six months ago or eight months ago.”

Carubba shot back, claiming he is weeding out corruption and discrimination at the agency.

“I’m tired of taking some of these bullets without speaking up. While Rick’s (Duplantier) speech was very eloquent, it was accurate. When I got on this board there was a legislative audit that identified discrimination,” he said.

As Carubba was speaking, Duplantier interjected, saying Carubba’s statements were “false.” Carubba responded by giving more details about his claim of discrimination at the agency.

“I’m the only board president or member that ever went in the back and spent time with the maintenance people and got to know them and listen to the stories of the names they were called. Names I will not repeat in public, starts with an ‘N’. None of these board members did anything,” Carubba said.

“Gee, that was a pretty long rant,” said Commissioner Deborah Mabile Settoon.

Other commissioners questioned Carubba’s claims. They said his lack of leadership and expertise is a major reason why key positions such as the regional director for the authority are vacant during hurricane season.

“You can brag, you can go on radio shows, you can do what you will, but we are not as well prepared due to the fact that we have not had your cooperation in hiring a regional director,” said Settoon.

For a board that once had nine commissioners, there are now four. Randy Noel is among them and told Fox 8 that flood protection doesn’t seem to be the agency’s priority right now.

“I’d have to say no. We have good people, they care a whole lot about the city, they’re going to do whatever they can to make sure nothing catastrophic happens. But we are a little less prepared,” said Noel.

Government watchdogs, such as the Bureau of Government Research, say the political infighting is distracting from the authority’s primary duty.

“This is supposed to be an active hurricane season. And when the levee board were redone after Hurricaen Katrina, a big principle of that was they were all supposed to be professionally managed and singularly focused on flood control. If you have board members that are nearly coming to blows at meeting and that they are distracted and concerned about politics, that is bad for the greater New Orleans area because we need these levee boards to be functioning effectively,” said Rebecca Mowbray, president and CEO of the Bureau of Government Research.

Noel told Fox 8 the board currently doesn’t have enough members to make major decisions.

Responding to request for comment, Carubba said one replacement on the board has been selected.

Carubba told Fox 8 many comments made by some of the commissioners at the June 17 meeting were untrue and are causing undue fear for the public.

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