Another LSU System leader resigns
LSU System General Counsel Ray Lamonica resigned his post effective Friday.
He is the third high-profile LSU executive change since earlier this year when those members of the LSU Board of Supervisors appointed by Gov. Bobby Jindal became the majority.
“In light of our discussions, please consider this my resignation,” Lamonica wrote in his resignation letter hand-delivered Thursday to Board chairman Hank Danos, chairman-elect Bobby Yarborough and interim LSU System President William Jenkins.
“I wish you the best in protecting the integrity and quality of the LSU System and its institutions,” Lamonica wrote.
Lamonica, a former U.S. attorney, said Thursday night he would return to teaching duties at the Paul M. Hebert LSU Law Center. He previously served as vice chancellor and is a tenured law professor there.
He declined further comment.
Lamonica’s resignation follows the departure of LSU System President John Lombardi and LSU System Vice President for Health Affairs and Medical Education Fred Cerise - both at the behest of the LSU Board.
Lamonica’s most high-profile legal fight involving LSU came as he led the legal team that won a $475 million arbitrator’s award from the Federal Emergency Management Administration for hurricane damage to Charity Hospital in New Orleans.
He also crafted the complex legal agreement that paved the way for the $1 billion University Academic Medical Center under construction in New Orleans which is to be operated by an LSU-rooted non-profit foundation.
Jenkins praised Lamonica in a statement released by the system office.
“Ray is a distinguished and brilliant attorney who helped lead us through the tough days, following Hurricane Katrina and who was instrumental in refining many of the LSU System bylaws and procedures that tightened oversight of LSU System institutions, set up a central audit committee, ensuring the financial and legal integrity of system operations,” said Jenkins.
Lamonica received his law degree from the LSU Law Center in 1970. He served as U.S. Attorney for Louisiana’s Middle District from 1986 to 1994 and was executive counsel to Gov. Dave Treen from 1983-1984.