CLAYTON, La. &045;&045; Clayton Police Chief Clarence W. &uot;Papa&uot; Skipper will remain in office unless he is convicted of a felony charge.

Skipper was arrested Monday night by Louisiana State Police on felony charges of malfeasance in office and public bribery.

Upon a felony conviction, an elected official is automatically suspended, according to Marietta Norton, an attorney for the Secretary of State’s office.

When the conviction becomes final and all of the appeals processes are through, then a public official is put out of office.

&uot;If (he is) convicted we will have to have another election,&uot; said Clyde Ray Webber, Concordia Parish clerk of court.

Right now, Skipper still is serving his last term and will not start the term he was re-elected for on March 9 until July 1.

Skipper’s arrest came after Concordia Parish Sheriff Randy Maxwell received information Skipper was taking money in lieu of issuing traffic citations or completing accident reports.

The state police conducted an investigation and said Skipper did take money in lieu of filing an accident reports and traffic citations.

Skipper could face a maximum penalty of five years and/or a $5,000 fine for malfeasance in office and five years and/or a $1,000 fine for public bribery.

Skipper was released Tuesday on $25,000 bond and will hold a press conference Monday at noon in the Clayton Town Hall to address the charges against him.