Anderson temporarily steps down as chairman

The Southern University Board of Supervisors’ chairman temporarily stepped down on Friday, April 20 so that allegations of sexual harassment against him could be properly investigated.
According to published reports, Johnny Anderson, chairman of the Southern Board of Supervisors, was recently the subject of an independent investigation, ordered by Gov. Kathleen Blanco, and led by local attorney Mark Falcon.
Falcon recently submitted a report to the board that found Anderson neither guilty nor innocent of the charges, states a recent article in The Advocate.
Anderson said his temporary absence from the board is a move he felt was necessary to prevent critics from accusing him of any improper conduct during the board’s review of Falcon’s report.
“I wanted to make sure I removed myself from the process,” Anderson said. “I tried to do what I felt was the honorable thing to do.”
Anderson said the subject of the review is no longer about him because the report Falcon submitted proved there were falsities in the allegations brought against him.
“It’s all twisted up with lies,” Anderson said. “I didn’t want to get myself in the way.”
According to a press release issued on Monday, the board will convene on Saturday, April 28 for a special meeting to review Falcon’s report and decide on which course of actions need to be taken to resolve the matter.
Anderson said he expects to return as chairman once the review as been completed.
In his absence, Dale Atkins of New Orleans will serve as temporary chairwoman.