FERRIDAY, La. – Louisiana state police on Wednesday searched the office of Ferriday paralegal James Skipper and seized documents in connection with allegations he had illegally practiced law, a senior trooper confirmed Thursday.

A paralegal can perform such tasks as conducting legal research and requesting district attorney’s and attorney general’s opinions but cannot give legal advice or argue cases in court.

Skipper opened his Louisiana Avenue paralegal office about two months ago. &uot;But now, I’m not taking any business,&uot; Skipper said. &uot;I’m looking for another job … and waiting for my business to die.&uot;

Senior Trooper Steve Childers confirmed that troopers had served a search warrant issued by Judge Leo Boothe and taken documents they will now review as part of the investigation.

&uot;Mr. Skipper was very cooperative, … and no arrest was made,&uot; Childers said.

But he would not say who complained to the department about Skipper or when the investigation could be complete.

Skipper said Thursday that he never practiced law, instead referring clients to an Alexandria attorney for legal advice or representation.

He added he believes state police were called in as retaliation for him filing a motion earlier this year against Councilwoman Dorothy Johnson.

In early July, former Town Council candidate Skipper filed a motion asking Boothe to rule that Johnson cannot serve on the council and work for the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office at the same time.

Johnson, who was reelected in March, was sworn into the District E council post July 1 and also works as a booking classification officer for the sheriff’s office.

A Louisiana attorney general’s opinion has stated a person cannot hold an elected office and work for a sheriff’s office, clerk of court or tax assessor’s office in the same parish at the same time.

Johnson would not comment on the allegations Skipper made Thursday.

Skipper also said state police did not take documents that showed the good he had done in the community, such as paperwork pertaining to a first offender rehabilitation program he conducted in Concordia Parish from 1997 to 1999.

&uot;They only wanted the evidence against me, not for me,&uot;&160;he said. &uot;There are more important things for them to pursue than this.&uot;