HARAHAN, La.—The Jefferson Parish Office of Inspector General (IG) has stated in a new report that the parish has missed out on almost $3.7 million in revenues over the last 25 years by providing free space to Jefferson Parish Employees FCU here.
The report noted that the $100-million credit union had offices in three Parish government buildings – the Yenni Building, the General Government Building, and the Odom Building.
“The forgone annual revenue to Jefferson Parish from these three zero-dollar leases was estimated at $146,920. The audit report also pointed out that the credit union is not paying its pro-rata share of custodial costs, as well as cost for utilities,” according to the IG’s report.
In addition, the IG wrote that the credit union does not pay rent to Hospital Service District #2 on space it leases in East Jefferson General Hospital.
Parish President Mike Yenni has said he agrees in part with the findings and believes the parish should receive some compensation from the credit union.
The audit report also stated that three other properties had zero-dollar leases, but the credit union accounted for a bulk of the forgone revenue.