On Wednesday, January 22, 2025, KTVE – KARD reported that Judge Wendall Manning recused himself from the ongoing legal proceedings involving Brent Vidrine, the former Superintendent of Monroe City Schools. The recusal was prompted by the judge’s close familial relationship with Vidrine, raising concerns about impartiality in the case.
This marks the second recusal in Vidrine’s trial. Previously, District Attorney Steve Tew also stepped aside due to prior professional ties with the defendant. As a result, the case has now been transferred to the Louisiana Attorney General’s office for further prosecution.
Brent Vidrine faces serious allegations stemming from an investigation conducted by the Louisiana Legislative Auditors Office in 2023. He is accused of improperly receiving a payment of $48,184 from the Monroe City School Board in 2021 for retirement benefits to which he was not entitled. Evidence uncovered during the investigation includes a Microsoft Word document found on Vidrine’s computer, which reportedly indicates that he had falsely claimed to have contributed that amount to the Teachers Retirement System.
Additionally, the investigation revealed that in 2022, Vidrine received $67,422 from the school board for the purchase of a year of credible service from the Teachers Retirement System. However, he had only contributed $47,422, allegedly manipulating documentation from the retirement system to secure an additional $20,000.
Following these revelations, Vidrine was placed on administrative leave in 2023 and subsequently chose to retire. He is currently facing multiple felony charges, including two counts of filing or maintaining false public records, two counts of malfeasance in office, and one count of unauthorized use of a moveable.
Vidrine is scheduled to return to court on February 18, 2025.
Source: KTVE – KARD
