ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. (WGNO) — On Tuesday, April 16, a recall petition form was filed against St. Tammany Parish Coroner Christopher Tape, calling for his removal from office.
According to the form filed with the Louisiana Secretary of State Office, the reason for the recall lists that Tape is “unfit to hold office.”
The actions come after recent pushback from the public following sexual abuse allegations made against him from 20 years prior along with Tape’s decision to halt the sexual assault exam program.
Tape responded to the recall effort:
“I certainly respect the right of the people to do that, but I think if I’m given opportunity to do the job I’ve been elected to do, the voters will be satisfied.”
St. Tammany Parish Coroner Christopher Tape
On April 3, a judge signed a temporary restraining order stopping Tape from cutting the parish’s SANE program.
Back on March 28, Tape said he would reconsider bringing the program back following a lawsuit filed against him by three Louisiana coroners and STAR Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response Center.
“I’m willing to re-launch the program for a trial period while allowing the other parishes and agencies involved to develop alternative plans,” said Tape.
In February, a group of legislators demanded that Tape, who was newly elected, resign. Tape ran unopposed in the fall election and assumed office on March 25.
According to court documents, Tape was arrested in New Mexico in 2001 on six counts of child sexual abuse. The charges were reportedly dismissed citing a delay claiming that it would be a violation of Tape’s right to a speedy trial.
“It’s not what we expect to have in someone who would hold such an office,” said Mizell. “Secondarily, you think how did that bypass a criminal background check, and then you find out there was no criminal background check.”
Petitioners in support of the recall told WGNO crews in March that there was much support behind the effort and that the numbers were there.
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