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On Wednesday, November 16th, Eros Mayor Kelly Gryder and town employee Brian Costin were arrested by the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office on two counts of felony theft. Gryder was also charged with Malfeasance in Office. The charges stemmed from an investigation that was held earlier this year in June by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office.
According to what was reported by the News-Star in Monroe on June 28th, Gryder and Costin improperly received unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic while still working for the town. During the period between April and September 2020, the town paid Gryder her salary of $456 per week and paid Costin’s regular salary, which was $460 per week, then increased to $500 per week. These records also confirmed that payroll checks issued to Gryder and Costin were not processed through the computerized accounting system but were handwritten and appear to have been issued by Gryder.
Auditors held that state law may have been violated as the town paid $8K more than it should have.
“This amount included improper leave payouts totaling $7,080 and Christmas bonuses totaling $850,” the audit read. “During this period, these employees/officials did not complete timesheets and may not have been entitled to leave benefits. Further, the payment of Christmas bonuses may have violated the Louisiana Constitution, which prohibits the donation of public funds. The payment of excess compensation to Town employees/officials may have violated the Louisiana Constitution and state law.”
Auditors also found town records indicated utility payment transactions totaling $28,088.00 were received and/or recorded in the utility system but were not deposited into the town’s bank accounts between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2021.
“During this period, Mayor Gryder and four different Town clerks were responsible for handling utility collections,” the audit read. “Records show that the Town did not issue receipts for all payments collected and failed to deposit collections daily into the Town’s bank account. By failing to ensure that all monies were properly documented and deposited on a daily basis, Mayor Gryder may have violated state law.”
Arrest Report (November 7 – 19)
Ivory J Betts (Jackson, MS) Monetary Instrument Abuse, Theft of a Motor Vehicle
Lisa M Lindsay (Eros, LA) Fugitive from Justice (Caldwell Parish), Simple Criminal Damage to Property, Aggravated Assault with Firearm
Dakota D Scallion (Goldonna, LA) Non-Support Warrant
Mary J Calloway (Hodge, LA) Winn Parish Warrant on Felony Theft charge
David L Harrell Jr (Jonesboro, LA) Domestic Abuse, Aggravated Assault
Kelly A Gryder (Eros, LA) – Felony Theft x 2, Malfeasance in Office
Brian Costen (Eros, LA) – Felony Theft x2
Cornelius Graves (Eros, LA) – Criminal Trespass
Jason L Jordan (Eros, LA) – Driving under Suspension, No Proof of Insurance, Improper Display of Plates
Jeremy K Robinson (Forest Hill, LA) – Second-Degree Battery
Rodney Lowery (Shreveport, LA) – Non-Support
Matthew Pixley (Jonesboro, LA) – Non-Support
Cecil E. Masters (Eros, LA) – Possession of Schedule II
Lionel Cantu (Eros, LA) – Angling without a License
Bobby E Barnes (Jonesboro, LA) – Simple Battery
