Mandeville Mayor Donald Villere’s nominee for city magistrate drew criticism from former mayoral opponent and City Council member Trilby Lenfant.

However, the council approved the appointment of James DeSonier, with Lenfant and council member Carla Buchholz voting against.

Lenfant said she did not know DeSonier, and when she “googled” his name on the Internet prior to the meeting she did not like what she found. In 2001, DeSonier was fined $29,700 for inaccurately reporting his campaign finances from his unsuccessful 1999 run in the state senate race.

The fine came after the it was determined that DeSonier violated campaign contribution limits when his team accepted a commercial video and broadcasted it on behalf of his campaign.

Funding for the commercial went through several businesses owned by both sides, and it is stated in the Ethic’s Board’s opinion that “this convoluted method of payment appears designed to effectively conceal the true source of the funding.”

It is stated that DeSonier further violated the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act when he did not report the receipt of in-kind contributions from the company that produced the commercial.

The board further stated that DeSonier did not accurately report his campaign expenditures.

Villere stood by his nominations, saying he feels DeSonier is an upstanding person and a well-respected attorney.

“He is a very honorable person, and I stand by his appointment,” Villere told the council. When questioned about the Campaign Finance Disclosure violation, Villere said, “I don’t see where that has an bearing on job he can do for the job for the city.”

Lenfant wanted to table the appointment until she could look into DeSonier’s past some more.

“I have some concern over appointing someone as magistrate that has an ethical blemish and record,” she said.

Buchholz wanted to wait as well, but the other council members voted in favor of the nomination.

A magistrate will preside over and hear criminal and traffic cases for mayor’s court. For this service, DeSonier will be paid $1,500 a month.

While DeSonier’s nomination brought about some discussion, the appointment of Clayton “Chip” Borne III as city prosecutor was approved by the council unanimously without much discussion.

Council members are familiar with Borne’s qualifications as he submitted a resume to them last October when applying for the position of interim mayor.

Borne will be paid $150 per hour and will prepare cases for and represent the city in trials at mayor’s court.