Slidell Voter Files Emergency Lawsuit Against Three Rivers PAC, Citing Concerns Voters Are Being Misled

ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. — A Slidell resident has filed an emergency lawsuit against Three Rivers Political Action Committee (PAC), arguing that political advertisements targeting St. Tammany Parish sheriff candidate Daniel Seuzeneau contain false and misleading information that could influence voters ahead of the November 3 election.

Gregory P. Johnson II filed the petition in the 22nd Judicial District Court, seeking an emergency restraining order to stop the PAC from continuing to distribute the challenged advertisements.

Johnson’s decision to petition the court stems from his belief that voters deserve accurate information when deciding who will serve as their next sheriff, and that misleading political attacks should not go unchallenged.

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The advertisements, associated with SneakyDaniel.com, raise questions about Seuzeneau’s outside employment with an automobile dealership, potential conflicts of interest, and payments made by the City of Slidell to Matt Bowers Chevrolet.

However, the lawsuit disputes the suggestion that Seuzeneau secretly maintained outside employment without the knowledge or approval of city officials.

Among the supporting evidence is a sworn affidavit from Slidell Mayor Randy Fandal, who previously served as police chief.

Fandal states that he personally approved Seuzeneau’s outside employment request on April 29, 2020, and that suggestions the work occurred without the knowledge or approval of police command staff or city officials are incorrect.

The petition also challenges implications surrounding dealership payments, arguing that the advertisements falsely suggest Seuzeneau personally made or authorized substantial payments to the dealership.

Attorneys representing Johnson contend that the challenged advertisements violate Louisiana Revised Statute 18:1463, which addresses false statements concerning candidates and elections.

The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, and permanent injunction to prevent further distribution of the challenged advertisements.

The legal action comes just days before voters head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3.

While political criticism is a protected and important part of elections, the petition raises a separate question: whether political organizations can distribute allegedly false factual claims about candidates without violating Louisiana election law.

The allegations have not yet been established by a court, and the documents reviewed do not establish that a judge has granted the requested restraining order. Three Rivers PAC’s response was not included in the filings reviewed.

Editor’s Disclosure: Gregory P. Johnson II, the petitioner in this lawsuit, operates The Rabbit Hole. Johnson believes voters are being misled by the challenged advertisements and filed the petition to seek judicial review of their accuracy and legality. His involvement is disclosed in the interest of transparency.