Gone South: S4|E13 – Concerned Citizens

Introduction

In the thirteenth episode of Season Four of Gone South, titled "Concerned Citizens," host Jed Lipinski delves into a gripping tale of corruption and resilience in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. This episode chronicles the journey of Laura King, a principled toxicologist, and her husband Terry King, a diligent financial advisor, as they confront and dismantle a deeply entrenched web of corruption within their community. Through personal testimonies, investigative efforts, and unwavering determination, the Kings expose systemic malfeasance that had long plagued their parish.

Laura King's Troubled Tenure and Unjust Termination

The story begins with Laura King’s professional struggle. At the age of 42, Laura, holding a Ph.D. in toxicology, was hired to establish the St. Tammany Parish coroner's own toxicology lab, funded by a federal grant. However, her enthusiasm quickly waned as she encountered a hostile and unprofessional work environment.

Laura King [02:48]:

"The coroner's office was a difficult place for me to work. They did not want to have anything put in writing. They did not want to have a human resources manual. They were not professional."

Her manager, Dr. Peter Galvin, exemplified this unprofessionalism. Galvin’s inappropriate behavior—manifested in unsolicited physical contact—created a toxic atmosphere. Despite repeated requests to cease his actions, Galvin dismissed these concerns, asserting his derogatory belief in "healing with his hands."

Laura King [03:28]:

"I kind of laughed it off because I don't know what else I could have done."

The situation escalated when Galvin organized unorthodox office activities, including crawfish boil parties during business hours. This unprofessional conduct reached a nadir when, during one such event, bereaved family members were forced to navigate the chaotic environment to identify their loved ones.

Jed Lipinski [03:36]:

"That wasn't all. The coroner occasionally threw parties, including crawfish boils, inside the office during business hours."

In winter [04:29], Laura refused her manager’s request to divert grant funds meant for the toxicology lab to purchase a computer for a new executive. Her ethical stance led to accusations of non-cooperation, culminating in her termination.

Laura King [04:29]:

"I was terminated from my position at the coroner's office because of my refusal to use grant money to purchase the computer."

The Kings' Legal Battle and Terry's Uncovering of Deeper Corruption

Faced with unjust dismissal, Laura and Terry King opted to file a lawsuit against the coroner’s office. Despite their efforts, the case was dismissed [05:54], with the judge attributing it to personal grievances rather than substantial wrongdoing.

Undeterred, Terry King leveraged his expertise in auditing and compliance to meticulously document the ongoing misdeeds within the coroner's office. This diligence caught the attention of the FBI, leading Terry to serve as a confidential informant [07:17].

Jed Lipinski [07:35]:

"Most county coroners don't have yachts and airplanes. But according to Terry, Galvin was one of the highest paid public officials in the country."

Through his collaboration with the FBI, Terry unearthed significant financial misconduct by Dr. Galvin, including extravagant personal expenditures funded by public money. This revelation garnered national media attention, culminating in Galvin’s conviction for conspiring to steal government funds.

Unmasking District Attorney Walter Reed

The investigative momentum didn’t stop with Galvin. The Kings, along with the Concerned Citizens of St. Tammany Parish, turned their sights to Walter Reed, the district attorney who had wielded immense power for nearly three decades [05:15].

A pivotal moment came when Clare Erson, a former girlfriend of Reed, stepped forward with damning evidence. She revealed that Reed had coerced her into forging his name on campaign checks and had a penchant for using platforms like SugarDaddy.com to facilitate illicit activities.

Clare Erson [18:10]:

"I had all the scoop on Walter. I know more about Walter Reed than Walter knows about himself."

Armed with Erson’s testimony and documented evidence, Terry presented a compelling case to the FBI. The investigation swiftly progressed, leading to Reed’s indictment and subsequent conviction on charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering [25:19].

The Dark Underbelly of Sheriff Jack Strain

No narrative of St. Tammany Parish’s corruption would be complete without addressing Sheriff Jack Strain, a long-standing and influential figure notorious for his racist rhetoric and exorbitant incarceration rates [11:54].

The Kings’ investigation revealed that Strain had been exploiting the parish’s work release program, siphoning profits for personal gain and allowing inmates excessive freedom, leading to increased crime rates outside the jail [10:14].

The turning point came when Mark Finn, a former inmate and childhood victim of Strain’s abuse, came forward with harrowing allegations of sexual abuse spanning from ages six to twelve. Finn’s courageous testimony [27:44] and additional victim accounts dismantled Strain’s facade of invincibility.

Mark Finn [27:14]:

"He was extremely powerful. He was extremely popular."

Strain was eventually indicted on numerous charges, including aggravated rape and sexual battery, and was sentenced to multiple life terms [29:52]. His downfall marked the triad collapse of corruption involving the Coroner, the District Attorney, and the Sheriff in St. Tammany Parish.

Formation and Triumph of the Concerned Citizens

Recognizing the pervasive corruption, Terry King collaborated with the Concerned Citizens of St. Tammany Parish—a formidable group comprising experts from various fields, including military veterans, engineers, attorneys, and fraud examiners [15:17]. This coalition amplified their investigative capabilities, enabling them to systematically expose and prosecute corrupt officials.

Jack Strain [30:39]:

"This was the triple crown we took out the coroner, the sheriff, and the District Attorney all in one parish."

The Concerned Citizens' relentless efforts not only brought down key figures like Galvin, Reed, and Strain but also extended their influence to convict or remove 29 other individuals from positions of power, including the Sheriff of Jefferson Parish and the Chief of Police of Bay St. Louis [30:51].

Conclusion and Impact

The Kings’ unwavering pursuit of justice transformed St. Tammany Parish, dismantling a deeply rooted corrupt system and restoring integrity to public offices. Their story exemplifies the profound impact that dedicated individuals and community-driven initiatives can have in combating systemic corruption.

Jack Strain [31:08]:

"And so we took great pride in that. We worked really hard for it. We all took tremendous risk. But in the end, I believe we've changed our community for the better."

The episode underscores themes of resilience, ethical steadfastness, and the power of collective action in the face of entrenched wrongdoing. For listeners unfamiliar with the episode, "Concerned Citizens" offers a compelling exploration of how ordinary citizens can effect extraordinary change within their communities.

Key Takeaways:

• Ethical Resistance: Laura King’s refusal to participate in grant fraud set off a chain reaction that exposed broader corruption.

• Collaborative Investigation: The partnership between the Kings and the Concerned Citizens illustrates the strength of community collaboration in investigative efforts.

• Courage to Act: Individuals like Clare Erson and Mark Finn exemplify the bravery required to come forward against powerful figures.

• Systemic Change: The successful prosecution of multiple high-ranking officials highlights the potential for systemic reform through persistent effort.

Notable Quotes:

• Laura King [02:48]:

  "The coroner's office was a difficult place for me to work. They did not want to have anything put in writing. They did not want to have a human resources manual. They were not professional."

• Jack Strain [30:39]:

  "This was the triple crown we took out the coroner, the sheriff, and the District Attorney all in one parish. And according to the FBI, that's never been done before."

• Jack Strain [31:08]:

  "And so we took great pride in that. We worked really hard for it. We all took tremendous risk. But in the end, I believe we've changed our community for the better."

Final Thoughts

"Gone South: Concerned Citizens" serves as a testament to the profound difference that individuals can make against systemic corruption. Through meticulous investigation and sheer determination, Laura and Terry King, supported by the Concerned Citizens of St. Tammany Parish, not only sought justice for themselves but also revitalized their entire community. This episode is a compelling narrative of courage, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of truth.