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Joseph Johnson

Joseph Johnson arrested for payroll fraud

Joseph Johnson, 47, of Mansura -- a law enforcement officer in Avoyelles Parish -- was arrested by State Police Tuesday morning and charged with one count of malfeasance in office and 30 counts of payroll fraud.
Johnson is accused of fraudulently claiming work hours as a part-time police officer with the towns of Cottonport and Bunkie.
Johnson is also an officer with the 12th Judicial District’s Families In Need of Services office. The FINS position is not involved in the complaint that led to the arrest.
Johnson is the twin brother of Mansura Police Chief John Johnson who is not implicated in any way.
The State Police investigation began in December when Bunkie Police Chief Bobby Corner contacted the LSP Bureau of Investigation in Alexandria for assistance concerning a complaint against Joseph Johnson.
The complaint alleged that Joseph Johnson’s payroll records for Bunkie and Cottonport police departments showed several instances where he billed the towns for the same hours worked and was paid by both towns for those hours.
Following their investigation, State Police requested a warrant charging Johnson with one count of malfeasance and 30 counts of payroll fraud.
He was booked into Avoyelles Detention Center #1 at about 10 a.m. and released on $5,000 bond.