Former St. Charles MPs face trial in fraud case

ST. CHARLES PARISH, La. (WVUE) – Three former high-ranking deputies with the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office appeared in court Tuesday, August 20, facing charges including wage fraud, theft and obstruction of justice.

Prosecutors requested an adjournment to allow more time to review more than 700 pieces of evidence, and the judge granted the request.

The arraignment of the former deputies – Chief Deputy Rodney Madere, Captain Derek Pertuis and Sergeant Zane Stillinger – has now been postponed until September 24.

The charges are based on allegations that Madere removed a bulldozer from the sheriff's office grounds and transported it to his camp in Mississippi.

In addition, investigators believe that the sheriff's office's printing equipment was used to produce fake parking permits for the LSU football team.

Madere's attorney requested permission to leave the community to keep his property in Mississippi. The judge approved the request but limited it to certain days and times.

All three deputies have already left their posts – Madere and Stillinger resigned in February, while Pertuis was dismissed in March.

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