Little still SEDD president, despite sex and kickback claims; Woods backs down

Tony Little will remain a member—and president—of the Southside Economic Development District (SEDD) after Councilwoman Juanita Woods backed away from her plan to replace him during Tuesday night’s Monroe City Council meeting.

Woods had placed a resolution on the council’s agenda to remove Little and appoint Reed Street resident Karen Jefferson as his replacement. However, when the item came up for consideration, Woods announced that she was withdrawing her motion, citing the number of calls and community reactions she received.

“I’ve received so many calls about this that I’ve decided to wait until the investigations are complete,” Woods said, referring to multiple ongoing inquiries involving Little.

The Monroe Police Department is investigating Little for allegedly extorting a SEDD vendor for kickbacks. Additionally, the SEDD board, at its October meeting, voted to open a separate investigation into sexual harassment claims against him. A woman has accused Little of promising her a job and consulting work at SEDD in exchange for sexual favors and has provided explicit photos, text messages, and a detailed complaint documenting her allegations.

Despite voting to authorize the sexual harassment investigation, the SEDD board also voted to allow Little to continue serving as president during the probe. That decision has fractured the board—five of its ten members are refusing to meet as long as Little remains in office, effectively shutting down SEDD operations.

Minister T.J. Stevenson, a SEDD commissioner, said Little’s term expired more than a year ago and described his continued presence as “polarizing.” Stevenson urged the city council to intervene and appoint a new representative.

“It takes a lot of courage for a woman to make sexual harassment claims against a person who brags that he is untouchable,” said Commissioner Roosevelt Wright, Jr. “It’s even more frustrating when her complaint is ignored. Mrs. Woods has seen all of the photos, text messages, and documentation, and still seems to endorse the behavior. That should be disappointing to the victim.”

Commissioner Karl Dhaliwal added, “When a person is accused of taking kickbacks, the business world does not leave that person in the position to continue while they are being investigated.”

Anna Reed, a commissioner, said, “No one should continue to serve as president, even the president of the United States, while they are being investigated for sex crimes. I’m disappointed that women who hear of sexual harassment charges against Mr. Little are willing to ignore them,” said Reed.

Meanwhile, representatives of the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office were in Monroe last week to begin reviewing SEDD’s financial practices under Little’s leadership.

Council President Rev. Rodney McFarland expressed frustration over the matter, saying Woods “blindsided” him by placing the item on the agenda without prior notice.

“I allow council members to put items on the agenda, but I don’t like being blindsided,” he said. McFarland noted that since Woods withdrew her resolution, any council member can now make a recommendation to replace Little.

Little’s term expired in August 2024, but he continues to serve until the council appoints a successor. However, he is not eligible for reappointment because he owes more than $12,000 in fines to the Louisiana Board of Ethics.

McFarland said he spoke with Woods for nearly two hours Monday night—well past midnight—and she had confirmed Jefferson as her nominee. After her reversal, McFarland indicated that he may bring his own nominee for Little’s seat at the next council meeting.