THIBODAUX SETTLES LAWSUIT

THIBODAUX - The city and its Police Department have agreed to pay $15,000
to a man who accused an officer and Lafourche sheriff's deputies of
excessive force.

The money is only the city's portion of a lawsuit settlement with Preston
Perez, said Camille Morvant II, the lawyer representing the city.

Perez accused former Lt. Troy Barrilleaux of wrongdoing during a May 1998
arrest in which he was shot in the back of the head by a Lafourche Parish
officer.

The officers at the scene, who allege they saw Perez participating in a
drug deal, claimed Perez tried to back his truck over the officer, who shot
him in self-defense.

Perez, who suffered brain damage and partial loss of vision in the
shooting, denied trying to kill the officer. He was later convicted of
aggravated assault and is scheduled for release in October.

On June 11, Barrilleaux was fired from his position as head of the
Thibodaux Bureau of Narcotics after being accused of stealing money from
the department. He was arrested two weeks later on charges of malfeasance
in office and theft of more than $500.

Morvant, who is also an assistant district attorney for Lafourche Parish,
said the decision to settle the case was not taken lightly.