Judge Says Louisiana Insurance Department Can Keep Operating

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon won a small victory in state court Jan. 27 in a dispute with the state Legislature’s auditing office. Although he did not rule on the primary issue in the case, 19th Judicial District Judge Todd Hernandez said the insurance department can continue to receive operational funds from the state until the dispute over departmental records is resolved.

Donelon and Legislative Auditor Steve Theriot have been at odds for more than a year over e-mails that Theriot wants from the Department of Insurance. Theriot wants the records as part of an audit of the state-backed insurance company, but has Donelon refused.

Donelon has said his lawyers have advised that he is legally prohibited from giving certain documents to Theriot: personal e-mails, e-mails protected under attorney/client privilege and private insurer information that is proprietary and protected under confidentiality agreements.

Donelon said he’s turned over every financial document Theriot has requested.