The Town of Cullen is facing a crisis that can no longer be brushed aside as small-town gossip or political drama. The town’s bank accounts have been frozen, aldermen have questioned where public money is being kept, employees have reportedly struggled to receive paychecks, and the police department has reportedly lacked money for fuel, tires and other basic needs.
Residents are also raising serious concerns about the town’s water. Some say the water smells bad, looks dirty and may not be safe to drink or bathe in.
At the center of these problems is Cullen Mayor James Terry Hoof, who is commonly known as Terry Hoof.
Some claims being made around Cullen are still rumors and must be treated as unconfirmed until records prove them. Other facts are already supported by public documents, official findings or statements made during a public meeting.
The confirmed facts are serious. They include a federal tax lien for more than $62,000, an admitted violation of Louisiana ethics law, frozen municipal bank accounts and years of financial disclosures showing that Hoof operates a private landscaping business.
The people of Cullen deserve to know how their town reached this point, where the money went and who is responsible for fixing the damage.
The mayor’s official name is James Terry Hoof
Most people in Cullen know the mayor as Terry Hoof. However, the financial disclosure statements he filed with the Louisiana Board of Ethics identify him as James Terry Hoof.
The federal tax lien identifies the taxpayer as James T. Hoof.
There is nothing illegal or automatically suspicious about using a middle name. Many people do it throughout their lives.
The name still matters because residents searching public records may find documents filed under James Hoof, James Terry Hoof, James T. Hoof or Terry Hoof. The records reviewed appear to involve the same elected official.
A federal tax lien for more than $62,000
A Notice of Federal Tax Lien provided for review identifies James T. Hoof as the taxpayer and lists an unpaid balance of $62,297.62.
The lien lists several federal employment-tax periods covering portions of 2022 through 2025. The document says the federal government placed a claim against the taxpayer’s property and rights to property because of unpaid taxes, interest, penalties and other costs.
A federal tax lien does not prove that Hoof stole public money or committed public corruption. It does show that the federal government recorded a large unpaid tax debt against him.
That becomes a public concern because Hoof is not only a private business owner. He is also the mayor of a town that is struggling to pay bills, fund public safety and keep its bank accounts open.
Hoof should explain whether the lien is still unpaid, whether he has a payment plan and whether he disputes any part of the amount. He should also explain which business or payroll obligations caused the tax assessments.
The public also deserves to know whether any business connected to Hoof has received town money, fuel, equipment, employee labor or other public support.
Hoof’s records confirm a private landscaping business
Hoof’s financial disclosure statements show that he has operated a private lawn-care and landscaping business for several years.
His 2022 disclosure lists Terry’s Lawn and Landscaping and identifies him as the owner or operator of a business that provides lawn care to customers.
His 2023 disclosure again lists Terry’s Lawn and Landscaping and identifies him as its owner or operator.
The 2024 filing also lists the landscaping operation along with his position as Cullen’s mayor.
His later disclosure identifies the business as Terry’s Lawn and Landscaping LLC.
The Louisiana Secretary of State information reviewed for this article did not confirm an active Louisiana company under that exact LLC name.
That does not automatically mean the business is illegal. A person may operate a small business as a sole proprietor without forming an LLC.
The question is why an official state financial disclosure uses the letters “LLC” if the business is not registered under that name. Hoof should provide the company’s legal name and Louisiana charter number or explain why the LLC title was used.
Rumors about town mowers and private lawn work
Residents have claimed that town-owned mowers, public fuel or municipal employees may have been used to cut private property while Hoof operated his landscaping business.
Those claims have not yet been fully proven through equipment logs, employee time sheets, fuel records, work orders or payment records. Until that evidence is obtained, the claims must be described as allegations and not as established facts.
The rumors still deserve a serious investigation because Hoof’s own financial disclosures confirm that he operates a lawn-care business. That creates a clear need to keep his private business separate from Cullen’s public equipment, fuel and employees.
The town should release records showing where its mowers were used, who operated them and how much fuel was purchased. The town should also release employee schedules, mowing work orders and any payments involving Hoof or his business.
If no public equipment or labor was used for private jobs, the records should clear up the rumor. If town resources were used, residents deserve to know who approved the work and whether the town was repaid.
The federal lien does not automatically prove false tax statements
Ethics Disclosure 2022 Ethics Disclosure 2023 Ethics Disclosure 2023B Ethics Disclosure 2024 Ethics Disclosure 2025
Hoof’s financial disclosure forms include checked boxes stating that the required federal and state tax returns had been filed.
His 2022, 2023 and 2024 forms indicate that the required federal and state returns were filed for the years covered by those reports.
His later filing also states that the required returns had been filed.
The federal lien does not, by itself, prove that those statements were false. Filing a tax return and paying the taxes owed are two different things.
A person can file a return and still fail to pay the full amount.
The lien still raises important questions. Hoof should explain whether the returns were filed on time, whether the debt came from taxes reported on those returns and whether any of the assessments were appealed or changed.
Hoof admitted violating Louisiana ethics law
One of the most serious matters involving Hoof is not a rumor. It is a formal finding from the Louisiana Board of Ethics.
The Board investigated Hoof, his wife Denise Epps-Hoof and another Cullen alderwoman over the hiring of Tameka Ford as town clerk. Ford was married to Cullen Alderman Darryl Ford.
According to the consent opinion, Hoof hired Tameka Ford as town clerk in July 2021. Her hiring then went before the Cullen Board of Aldermen for approval.
Before the vote, a resident warned that hiring Ford was not legally allowed because she was married to an alderman. The Ethics Board’s findings state that Hoof responded that he had researched the issue and believed the hiring was allowed.
The Board later ruled that Hoof and the alderwomen violated Louisiana’s nepotism law by approving the hiring while knowing Ford was married to a member of Cullen’s governing authority.
The Board stated that the officials approved the hiring after being told that it would violate the law. It imposed a $750 civil penalty against Hoof and $250 penalties against each of the two alderwomen.
Hoof signed the consent opinion and admitted that he violated Louisiana law. He agreed that the facts supported the violation, gave up his right to appeal and accepted the order.
This was not a political accusation made by one of Hoof’s opponents. It was an official ethics case that ended with his signed admission.
Questions involving Denise Epps-Hoof
Hoof’s financial disclosures identify his wife, Denise Epps-Hoof, as an apartment or property manager.
The 2022 and 2023 reports identify an employer appearing to be NDC Asset Management LLC.
The 2024 filing lists Phoenix Property Management and also identifies her public position with the Town of Cullen.
The later filing also lists Phoenix Property Management and the Town of Cullen.
These documents show employment, but they do not prove that she owned either property-management company.
Secretary of State records reviewed for this article also connect Denise Epps-Hoof to Cullen Senior Citizens, an active nonprofit corporation. Other records show that Denise M. Epps was previously connected to EPPS, Inc., which is now inactive.
Those connections do not prove wrongdoing. They do support a closer review of any town contracts, grants, property deals or payments involving senior housing, property management or organizations connected to town officials.
Cullen’s bank accounts were frozen
The freezing of Cullen’s bank accounts is not simply a rumor. The frozen accounts were officially acknowledged during a public town meeting.
What the public still does not know is how many accounts were frozen, which agency ordered the freezes, why the accounts were frozen and how much money was affected.
Residents also need to know whether the town’s aldermen were told about the freezes before or after they happened.
During the meeting, aldermen reportedly questioned which banks the town was using. They also questioned why they had not been properly informed about the accounts and how the town had fallen so far into the negative.
These questions are alarming because the aldermen are part of Cullen’s governing authority. They are responsible for approving spending and protecting public money.
If aldermen did not know where the town’s money was being held, how many accounts existed or why the balances were negative, then Cullen’s financial controls may have failed.
Money was moved and new accounts were opened
Information shared during the public meeting indicated that money had been moved between accounts or that new accounts were opened as other accounts were frozen.
Opening a new municipal account is not automatically illegal. A town may need separate accounts for payroll, water payments, taxes, grants and normal operating expenses.
Moving money between accounts may also be necessary during an emergency.
The problem is that members of the governing board reportedly did not understand which accounts were being used or why the town was so deeply in debt.
The town should release records showing every account that was frozen, the bank holding each account and the agency that ordered the freeze. The town should also release the dates and amounts of every transfer made before and after the freezes.
Residents deserve to know who ordered the transfers, whether the aldermen approved them and who was authorized to sign checks or withdraw money from the new accounts.
The records should also show whether money meant for grants, water services or another protected purpose was moved into a general operating account.
Moving money to keep police vehicles running or employees paid may have been an emergency step. Moving public money without proper approval or complete records would raise much more serious concerns.
Cullen reportedly could not afford its attorneys
At the same town meeting, Hoof reportedly stated that Cullen no longer had attorneys because the town could not afford them.
A June 2026 letter from the law firm representing Cullen confirms that the town owed a large amount in unpaid legal bills.
The letter stated that Cullen owed $28,776.17 for legal services. Another $10,000 was requested to restore the firm’s retainer.
The firm offered a payment plan of $5,000 per month until the town became current. It also warned that the firm could not continue representing Cullen without an approved payment arrangement.
The letter does not prove the exact date when the legal services ended. It does show that Cullen was unable to pay the full balance and was in danger of losing its legal representation.
A town with frozen accounts, incomplete audits and questions about missing records needs strong legal and financial help. Losing that help because bills cannot be paid places the town in an even worse position.
Rumors about a recurring $1,700 check
Residents have reported a rumor that a check for about $1,700 is written on a regular basis, possibly every week, without a clear public explanation.
This claim has not yet been confirmed through bank records or canceled checks.
The town’s check register, bank statements, electronic-payment records and general ledger should show whether the payment exists.
Every payment made with public money should list the person or company receiving it, the amount, the date and the public purpose. It should also show who approved the payment and which invoice, contract or payroll record supports it.
If the payment does not exist, the town can end the rumor by releasing the records. If it does exist, residents deserve to know who is being paid and why.
Allegations involving a former town clerk
Residents have also claimed that a former town clerk wrote several checks totaling about $6,000 before leaving her job.
Some people believe the checks were improper and that the clerk left after a town account was frozen.
Those accusations have not been proven through canceled checks, an audit report, criminal charges or an official investigation.
The claims should not be reported as theft unless the records support that conclusion.
The town should release the checks, invoices and approval records. It should also explain who received the money, who signed the checks and whether the payments were entered into the town’s accounting system.
The public also deserves to know whether the clerk resigned, was fired or left for another reason.
Auditors reportedly could not get complete records
Cullen has faced years of questions about late or incomplete audits.
State and outside auditors reportedly could not obtain all the documents needed to complete a proper review of the town’s finances.
Residents say town records were once stored inside the old fire station. The records were later removed, but it is unclear who removed them, why they were moved or where they are now.
Some residents believe federal authorities took the records. That remains an unconfirmed claim unless supported by a subpoena, search warrant, written notice or official statement.
The town should release all letters and requests from auditors, along with lists of any missing documents. It should also identify where the financial records are currently stored and who has access to them.
Missing records do not automatically prove that money was stolen. They do make it much harder to find out what happened.
Police reportedly lack fuel, tires and other basic support
Residents report that Cullen’s police department has struggled to get money for fuel, tires, repairs and other basic needs.
Police calls do not stop when a town runs out of money. Officers are still expected to respond to emergencies, investigate crimes and protect the public.
A police department cannot do its job if vehicles do not have fuel or safe tires.
The town should release police fuel records, repair bills and vehicle-maintenance reports. It should also release records showing whether any calls were delayed or could not be answered because vehicles were not available.
Failing to fund public safety is not just a bookkeeping problem. It can place residents and officers in danger.
Employees reportedly faced missed or delayed paychecks
Residents and town employees have also reported missed or delayed paychecks.
Those claims should be confirmed through payroll records, bank statements and employee testimony.
If employees worked but were not paid on time, the town should explain why. The town should also release records showing whether payroll taxes were properly withheld and sent to the government.
Employees should not have to wonder whether they will be paid after doing their jobs.
Residents are worried about Cullen’s water
Residents have reported yellow, brown or foul-smelling water coming from their faucets and bathtubs.
Photographs provided for review show water with a yellow or brown appearance. A photograph can show what the water looks like, but it cannot prove whether the water is safe to drink.
Only laboratory testing and official health reports can answer that question.
The town should immediately release recent water-testing results, boil-water notices and Louisiana Department of Health reports. It should also release records of water complaints, flushing work, broken lines and system repairs.
Residents should not be forced to guess whether their water is safe for drinking, cooking or bathing.
Rumors involving property must be proven with records
Some residents have accused Denise Epps-Hoof of taking property from people or using her position to gain control of property.
Those are serious accusations, but the records reviewed so far do not prove that she stole or illegally obtained property.
The claims must remain listed as rumors until deeds, court records, tax-sale documents or other official evidence supports them.
A fair investigation should review property transfers, tax sales, housing contracts, court judgments and nonprofit transactions connected to town officials or their relatives.
No one should be declared guilty without proof. Public officials and their families should still expect close review when private property deals cross paths with public programs or town authority.
Cullen must release the records
The Town of Cullen can answer many of these questions by releasing the records that belong to the public.
The town should release every bank statement, canceled check, transfer record and account-opening document used since 2022. It should also release payroll records, tax filings, vendor payments, equipment logs and fuel-card statements.
Residents should receive copies of all notices freezing town accounts, all audit letters and all lists of missing records.
The town should also release payments involving Hoof, his wife, Terry’s Lawn and Landscaping, property-management companies and Cullen Senior Citizens.
These records could prove some rumors true and prove others false. Keeping the records hidden allows fear, anger and suspicion to continue growing.
Cullen needs an independent investigation
Cullen’s financial crisis should not be reviewed only by the same administration whose actions are being questioned.
The town needs an independent forensic audit performed by professionals with no family, political or business connection to Cullen officials.
The audit should review bank accounts, transfers, payroll, taxes, vendor payments, town equipment and public contracts. It should also review legal bills, missing records, water-system spending and police funding.
The final report should be released to the public without delay.
The facts already demand action
Not every rumor in Cullen has been proven, but several major facts are already established.
Official records show that Hoof operates a private landscaping business. They also show that he signed a Louisiana Board of Ethics consent opinion admitting that he violated the state’s nepotism law.
A federal tax lien for $62,297.62 was recorded against James T. Hoof.
Cullen’s municipal bank accounts were frozen, and money was reportedly moved or new accounts were opened as the town tried to continue operating.
Aldermen questioned where the money was held and how the town became so deeply negative. Cullen also faced large unpaid legal bills while employees, police services and the water system were reportedly suffering.
These facts are more than enough to demand answers.
The people of Cullen are paying the price
This story is not about gossip, grudges or political sides. It is about the people who live in Cullen and depend on their local government.
Residents pay taxes and water bills. They expect police protection, safe drinking water and honest handling of public money.
Town employees expect to be paid for their work. Aldermen should know where the town’s bank accounts are located and how much money is available.
Mayor James Terry Hoof has an admitted ethics violation and a federal tax lien exceeding $62,000. At the same time, the town he leads has experienced frozen bank accounts and growing questions about missing money and missing records.
The remaining rumors must be investigated carefully and fairly. No one should be convicted by gossip alone.
The confirmed facts must not be ignored.
Cullen’s accounts were frozen, the ethics violation was admitted and the federal lien was recorded. The town’s money, records and decisions must now be fully explained to the public.
