Jindal Fires State Employee Day After She Criticized Him

Gov. Bobby Jindal fired a state worker, Melody Teague, one day after she publicly condemned his plans to privatize state services. The worker's attorney claimed Teague was told that she was terminated for poor performance in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, years ago.

Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Chris Whittington has launched an investigation into the incident.

Melody Teague criticized Jindal during a forum held by the Commission for Streamlining Government. Soon after, the contract grants reviewer was told she was fired for her handling of the state's disaster food stamps program four years ago, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

According to The Advocate, Commission member Leonal Hardman believes that Teague was "unfairly targeted because she spoke out publicly at the streamlining forum."

In a statement, Chairman Whittington said, "For all of his talk about ethics reform, how ethical is it to fire a state employee for expressing her opinion publicly at a forum?"

Jindal has a history of firing or attempting to fire critics.

In July, the Associated Press reported that Jindal attempted to force out Board of Elementary and Secondary Education appointment Tammie McDaniel after she questioned a state official's budget decisions.

In March 2008, Jindal fired James Champagne, the executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, after the two disagreed on the state's motorcycle helmet law. Champagne had worked for the Louisiana State Government for twelve years.

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Comments

[xianred]

Couldn't have been Jindal - Kenneth the Page would never have done such a mean spirited thing.

[xianred]

If she was fired for not doing a good job four years ago - her supervisor should be fired for incompetence for letting a poor employee stay on for four years after the event.

[JumpDownTurnAround]

Boy he sounds like the male version of Sarah Palin. Let's hope he follows in her footsteps and resigns too!

[Chipher]

...if she's a lowly 'contract grants reviewer' then Jindal didn't fire her, some lowly budget department manager did, and shame on HP for slurring that obvious distinction for political ends.

[trubeliever52]

Hmmmm I wonder how much Jindal thinks he'll make by privatizing the Louisiana State government. Several states have tried the same tactic and low and behold privatizing cost more than using state employees. In many circumstances it created an environment of dishonesty. It was a case of putting the fox in the hen house. Wake up Louisiana - this guy isn't good for you.

[Quinton Cartwright]

People are going to make it seem like this is a bad thing, but what is the point of gaining high office if you can't crush those who oppose you? (with sarcasm)

[JamesA1102]

Jindal proves himself to be an empty suit once again.

[hernan1333]

jindal acting like a real republican now...

[RonGallion]

Yep if he was a democrat he would have slept with her had a kid then denied it.

[ardethbay]

Unlike all of the republican men that got caught with another man, which they claimed was a bad thing.

[Dan Conner]

Republicans would have slept with her, found a job for her husband and then gone to his mommy and daddy to ask for money to pay the husband off. For a Republican, there never leaving the teat.

[blues101]

When criticized have them removed from office, outed, or just removed "permanently". Seems to be the way with cow ardly 'thugs.

[blues101]

AND i'd sue "Big Check" Jingle's b'hind, too.

[satanlite]

That's what Republicans do. Remove them from officed. Don't ever let them regain political power ever again.

[Earl Brown]

Republicans have never been for protecting rights. Not since Abe anyways and that was a completely different gop. Rights only matter when convenient to republicans. Dissent is treated by firing squad.

[Ron44]

So much for freedom of speech! If Bobby can't take the heat he should get out of the kitchen!!!

[igorz]

What Slumdog the movie did to enhance India, Slumdog the Terminator has pretty much undone.

[lagumbo]

Gov. Jinglebell will not be re-elected,I am pretty sure of that. Louisiana has always been a laughing stock across the country but not so much as it now since Jinglebell has been elected. He made a complete fool of himself when he went on national tv , against THE PRESIDENT, and the sane people of louisiana will never let that happen again.He protest the stimulus package, but went around the state like Santa Claus giving out stimulus check with his name on the checks like he was the giver of hapiness. Jinglebell is a joke, and Louisiana will not take it anymore.

[satanlite]

Yeah. Bobby will probably be back in office. Certain sourthern states absolutely refuse to evolve. That is their right i suppose. I just wish we could make them all part of Mexico instead of the US.

[blues101]

Poor Mexico - we were just trying to get them to take Texas off our hands, now we're trying to palm off the rest of the south. Great idea, but i do feel sorry for mexico if they have to adopt them all.

[Howzat]

Was Jindal Governor of Louisiana when Katrina occured. I dont think so . So how the heck does this nut job do a retro job performance and fire anyone on that premise.

This guy is a joke, he will always be a joke and he has shown that he is not worthy of any sort of management position in any capacity.

Yes, not even as a toilet room attendant.

And to think that the Neocon want him or Palin to be the next Commander-in Chief. Mission Accomplished.

Say it again Uncle Sam: Mission NOT Accomplished Bobby Jindal.