District Court Judge Rules that St. James Parish Violated State Law in Holding Secret Meetings over Proposed Chemical Plant

COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE

A District Court judge ruled that St. James Parish violated the Louisiana Open Meetings Law by holding secret meetings with representatives of Wanhua, a China-based company, to discuss a proposed chemical plant. The meetings, not disclosed to the public, occurred shortly before a Planning Commission vote on the project. Although Wanhua eventually withdrew the project, the actions of the parish officials have been criticized as a betrayal of good government and environmental justice principles. The court found that the meetings were a deliberate attempt to avoid a quorum and did not fit under any exceptions to the Open Meetings Law, emphasizing the importance of transparency in public affairs.

For access to detailed legal documents, please click the following links: The petition filed on July 15, 2019, which initiated the legal proceedings, and the judgment issued on January 6, 2025, which concludes the case.