Parker T. Williamson

Louisiana’s 19th District Court has declared the Presbytery of South Louisiana (PSL) in contempt of court for refusing to obey the court’s order that it surrender specified documents to attorneys for the Carrollton Presbyterian Church of New Orleans.

Dated Sept. 22, the order required PSL to turn over any and all of its correspondence with the Synod of the Sun and others regarding the presbytery’s litigation with Carrollton. PSL attorneys were given six hours to comply with the order. “Failure to abide by this order may result in the party in violation being held in contempt and the imposition of penalties by this court,” the order said.

PSL refused to comply, stating that the documents in question were “attorney/client” or “work product” related and therefore “withheld” as “privileged” documents. But the court ruled that these privileges did not apply or had been waived by their circulation to others.

On Oct. 9, Carrollton attorneys filed a “motion for contempt and penalties,” citing the court’s Sept. 22 order and PSL’s continued refusal to comply. Judge Kay Bates ruled in favor of Carrollton’s motion on Oct. 22 and ordered the presbytery to reimburse Carrollton for all expenses it incurred in making and arguing the contempt motion.