Former chief deputy of Ascension Parish Assessor arrested on malfeasance, computer tampering charges
ASCENSION PARISH, La. (BRPROUD) — According to the parish’s jail booking records, the former chief deputy for Ascension Parish Assessor M.J. “Mert” Smiley Jr. was arrested on Tuesday, April 23.
Justin Champlin, 44, was arrested by the Gonzales Police Department and booked into the Ascension Parish Jail just before 11 a.m. Tuesday.
He is charged with two counts of computer tampering (misdemeanor), two counts of injuring public records and malfeasance in office.
On Wednesday, April 17, GPD got a report that an internal audit of the Ascension Parish Assessor showed possible malfeasance by Champlin while he served as chief deputy, according to police.
GPD started an investigation and detectives found that Champlin “tampered with the tax assessed values on his personal property,” according to the police department.
Two West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office employees under criminal investigation
GPD said the case is being finalized and turned over to the district attorney’s office.
Champlin earned the professional designation of Assessment Administration Specialist (AAS) from the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) in 2017. He has served in the parish assessor’s office, since 2013, according to his LinkedIn account.
Champlin previously held roles as a title attorney, abstractor and title insurance agent. Champlin is no longer employed with the parish assessor’s office, according to Smiley Jr.
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