La. Ex-Club Employee Gets Almost Six Years for Arson, Burglary

February 19, 2007

A former employee of Covington Country Club in Covington, La., who burned down its temporary clubhouse has been sentenced to just under six years in federal prison.

In addition to the 70-month term, William A. Tarpein, 28, of Covington was ordered by U.S. District Judge Ivan Lemelle to pay nearly $400,000 in restitution.

While working as a gold course supervisor, Tarpein broke into the building before dawn on Aug. 13, stole thousands of dollars and set a fire to cover up the burglary, authorities said.

According to court records, Tarpein stole the money because of a gambling addiction.

Federal investigators Tarpein used a garden sprayer to douse the wood and brick building with gasoline before setting it on fire. He pleaded guilty on Nov. 15 to an arson charge.

The building that was burned had served as the club’s temporary clubhouse after the FBI rented original clubhouse to house its New Orleans office after Hurricane Katrina.

Information from: The Times-Picayune, www.timespicayune.com.