Content Tagged As investigative_unit
Tagged News
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Dufrocq School principal no longer on the job after Investigative Unit uncovered reports of child left in squalor Play Video
October 12, 2023 1:52 PM
BATON ROUGE - Seven weeks after an Investigative Unit report about a child left covered in feces, the principal at the Dufrocq School has left the job. The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board confirms that Ariane St. Julien is no longer with the school. The school issued a... more » -
WBRZ wins prestigious Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award for LSP investigation
February 6, 2023 9:08 PM
NEW YORK CITY – The 2023 winners of the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards have been announced, and the WBRZ Investigative Unit has been honored for its years-long investigation into the death of Ronald Greene and into misconduct by Louisiana State Police. WBRZ Chief Investigative Reporter Chris Nakamoto and... more » -
WBRZ Investigative Unit named finalist for top journalism honor
November 3, 2022 12:30 PM
BATON ROUGE - An entry from the WBRZ Investigative Unit that spotlights Chris Nakamoto's reporting on the death of an unarmed Black man in police custody has been named a finalist in the 2023 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Awards, organizers announced on Thursday . The duPont jury recognized the entry,... more » -
'I won't participate in the coverup:' State Police detective facing heat abruptly retires Play Video
January 5, 2022 11:08 AM
MONROE - Albert Paxton, a State Police detective whose notes on a trooper-involved death investigation showed attempts by LSP brass to muddy the truth, has retired from his position, WBRZ Chief Investigator Chris Nakamoto has learned. State Police confirmed Paxton submitted his retirement plan Monday and will formally leave... more » -
Days after deadly shooting, district attorney moves to revoke West Baton Rouge bar's liquor license Play Video
September 23, 2021 11:15 PM
PORT ALLEN - Standing before West Baton Rouge Parish council members Thursday, Tony Clayton might as well have been standing before a jury in a courtroom, as he made his case for the parish to hold a hearing on suspending or revoking the liquor license for Raxx Bar & Grill,... more » -
Nakamoto exclusive: Ronald Greene investigative notes show troopers asked for colleagues to be arrested Play Video
June 29, 2021 4:55 PM
BATON ROUGE – Rank and file state troopers wanted their colleagues charged in the death of Ronald Greene, a Black man who died after a bloody altercation while in State Police custody in May 2019, case notes leaked to WBRZ show. Watch the Chris Nakamoto tell-all exclusive on WBRZ... more » -
Man with history of evading jail time released from prison
June 29, 2021 8:31 AM
BATON ROUGE- A man who was ordered to serve a suspended prison sentence of six years of hard labor followed by three years of supervised probation for a violent 2018 shooting has been released, according to officials. Henry Claiborne, charged with attempted murder in a shooting that left a... more » -
DA wants to revoke former BRPD officer's bond after latest arrest Play Video
May 28, 2021 8:34 AM
ASCENSION PARISH - Following former Baton Rouge Police Department (BRPD) narcotics officer Jason Acree's fourth arrest overnight, District Attorney Hillar Moore's office filed motions to have his three bonds in Baton Rouge revoked. That paperwork was filed with the court Friday afternoon in Baton Rouge. A hearing will need... more » -
Son of former State Police head gets 4-month suspension for deadly crash while on duty Play Video
April 15, 2021 11:16 AM
BATON ROUGE- Kaleb Reeves, the son of former State Police Superintendent Kevin Reeves, received the max allowable suspension after an at-fault crash last October that resulted in two deaths. WBRZ's Chief Investigator Chris Nakamoto has been asking State Police for weeks to confirm the suspension. State Police released a... more » -
Top La. Dept. of Justice official gets hefty pay cut after investigation into 'offensive' office jokes
January 19, 2021 4:56 PM
BATON ROUGE – The head of the state justice department’s criminal division will be disciplined by what amounts to a $20,000 pay cut after an administrative investigation found concerning behavior. WBRZ Chief Investigator Chris Nakamoto first reported last month that Patrick Magee, who runs the criminal division of the... more » -
Arrest records say state trooper struck man 18 times, tried to hide video from superiors Play Video
December 10, 2020 5:45 PM
BATON ROUGE - Arrest documents say a state trooper arrested for a 2019 incident involving excessive force tried to hide evidence of the encounter from his supervisors. Trooper Jacob Brown was booked into jail Thursday afternoon after a judge signed a warrant. The WBRZ Investigative Unit reported on Brown being... more » -
Trooper at center of inquiry into suspect's death facing termination, now hospitalized after weekend crash Play Video
September 21, 2020 2:44 PM
BATON ROUGE – A northeast Louisiana State Trooper was issued a notice by State Police of an intent to terminate amid a department investigation into a deadly police chase. It was issued within the last few days and comes after reporting by WBRZ Chief Investigator Chris Nakamoto over questions... more » -
Years before deputy's child sex crimes arrest, Jason Ard vouched for deputy labeled 'high risk' hire Play Video
October 28, 2019 5:28 PM
BATON ROUGE- Documents the WBRZ Investigative Unit uncovered in federal court show disgraced deputy Dennis Perkins was considered a "high risk" hire back in 2002, when a polygraph test was administered to him prior to being employed at the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office. At that time, then-deputy Jason Ard vouched... more » -
Rapper's photos flaunting fistfuls of cash inside state prison under investigation Play Video
July 9, 2019 5:28 PM
ST. GABRIEL – The state prison system said it is investigating policy violations after rapper Kevin Gates took pictures with inmates at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center Monday flashing a substantial amount of $100 bills. WBRZ’s Chief Investigator Chris Nakamoto has been investigating the images since Gates, a recording... more » -
Cop accused of lying got raise, collects back pay after agreeing to resign
March 20, 2019 6:02 PM
BATON ROUGE – A fired Baton Rouge Police officer who successfully fought his termination, was essentially reinstated then resigned to collect a severance was paid just more than $15,000 in owed wages. WBRZ learned the details through a public records request filed by the station’s Investigative Unit. Yuseff... more » -
Complaints fell on deaf ears at state agency ahead of foster parent's arrest, sources tell WBRZ Play Video
February 14, 2019 6:44 PM
GONZALES – Once again, the state agency overseeing the welfare and safety of children, finds itself at the center of allegations of not doing enough to protect the most innocent. Thursday, WBRZ was first to report on the arrest of a foster parent in Ascension Parish. Jerry Oubre was... more » -
Legal experts demand emergency suspension of law license for attorney trying to trade sex for work Play Video
October 4, 2018 6:43 PM
UPDATE: A. Wayne Stewart has officially resigned from practicing law. According to documents from the Louisiana Supreme Court, Stewart has resigned his license in lieu of disciplinary action. He may no longer practice law in the state of Louisiana. ***** BATON ROUGE- Two legal experts have... more » -
Utility company to discuss Nakamoto reports with state regulators; Vows changes
September 14, 2018 6:13 PM
BATON ROUGE – The Public Service Commission will discuss an audit of an area electric co-op following a series of reports by the WBRZ Investigative Unit. DEMCO provided the hired auditors with more than 70,000 company documents. Auditors also interviewed company executives, employees and vendors. The audit will be... more » -
Investigative Unit: Town running a kangaroo court, detectives suspect Play Video
September 5, 2018 4:56 PM
CLINTON – Subpoenas were filed in a state and parish investigation involving allegations of widespread wrongdoing in the town of Clinton. The WBRZ Investigative Unit learned Wednesday, the East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office and the State Police are looking into the conduct of the Clinton Mayor’s Court and the... more » -
Southern University fires back at former band director, claims he is 'misleading' public Play Video
August 9, 2018 4:27 PM
UPDATE: Southern has released a statement in response to former band director Nathan Haymer after he held a press conference Friday to defend his handling of school money. In the statement, the school says Haymer has yet to hand over information he had promised in reference to the conference.... more » -
High-profile sex offender facing new charges now facing a much higher bond, too Play Video
May 17, 2018 12:31 PM
BATON ROUGE - Mark Russell, a high-profile sex offender whose initial low bond on a recent arrest on allegations he raped a 17-year-old while posing as a police officer, was issued a new bond Friday afternoon. A judge set his bond at $285,000. Judge Don Johnson also said if... more » -
Investigative Unit: There's an issue with high-ranking college official's voting record Play Video
May 16, 2018 6:52 PM
GONZALES - Until recently, addresses on file for a member of the Southern University System Board of Supervisors did not match records on file with voting officials or the local tax assessor. Vague language in state law may be to blame since appointments to boards are decided based on... more » -
Local police used body cameras to document bizarre rift with educators over drug class Play Video
May 15, 2018 6:38 PM
BAKER - After a WBRZ report Monday that detailed a rift between the local police and school district, video surfaced that showed a police officer being told educators were not interested in participating in the D.A.R.E. program. “'I don't want D.A.R.E.,'” the principal of Park Ridge Elementary was recorded... more » -
Thirty-three area officers on troubled list prosecutors must reveal to defendants Play Video
February 22, 2018 4:49 PM
UPDATE as of 3/1/18: Following the publication of the story below, District Attorney Hillar Moore announced his office was making changes. The Brady List refers to officers who have had issues with truthfulness. However, many of the officers on the list did not get in trouble for being untruthful.... more » -
Sex offenders among inmates allowed to leave prison to play in band Play Video
October 5, 2017 5:27 PM
BATON ROUGE – WBRZ has learned there is an internal investigation into why some of the most hardened inmates at the Dixon Correctional Institute were given trusty status to play music on various occasions in public places recently. The investigation comes after WBRZ recorded video of the group –... more » -
Investigative Unit: Officers on leave allowed to work extra duty Play Video
September 28, 2017 6:19 PM
BATON ROUGE- The Baton Rouge Police Department changed its policy on who could be assigned extra duty after the WBRZ Investigative Unit found officers on administrative leave were still collecting payment from extra duty. Among those was Blane Salamoni, the officer who is tied to the shooting death of... more » -
Suspect in police chase now charged with trying to kill cop; Read exclusive report here
June 1, 2017 3:32 PM
BATON ROUGE – A single Baton Rouge Police officer opened fire on a drug sting suspect after the suspect tried to run over another police officer, beginning a chain of events that left a 12-year-old dead Wednesday evening. Information was revealed to WBRZ and the station's Investigative Unit in... more » -
Amid Nakamoto investigation, Council on Aging reviews travel policy
May 25, 2017 6:09 PM
BATON ROUGE – Amid a Chris Nakamoto investigation for the WBRZ News 2 Investigative Unit, the EBR Council on Aging revealed it's changing its policies and procedures dealing with travel policies for its staff. Nakamoto and the WBRZ Investigative Unit filed a public records request – essentially, a formal... more » -
Report: EBR COA used public funds to campaign for tax increase Play Video
May 8, 2017 9:15 AM
BATON ROUGE – The East Baton Rouge Council on Aging used public resources, including money, staff time and nonprofit postage permit to support a tax proposition in 2016, according to a state audit released Monday. According to Louisiana’s Legislative Auditor, the COA management ran Support our Seniors, a political... more » -
Council on aging director's mom, a judge, assigned daughter's defamation lawsuit Play Video
May 5, 2017 1:50 PM
BATON ROUGE – Judge Janice Clark, the mother of Council on Aging Director Tasha Clark Amar, has been assigned to hear a lawsuit her daughter filed against a family who has been interviewing with media outlets over how Amar handled their deceased family member's will. Clark Amar filed the... more » -
Inmate reportedly had gun inside area prison
April 28, 2017 5:55 PM
ST. GABRIEL – Sources described a shakedown of the state-run prison for men in Iberville Parish as a futile effort to find a reported, smuggled weapon. Multiple sources discussed the situation with the WBRZ News 2 Investigative Unit Friday but state corrections officials said no gun was found. A... more » -
WBRZ wins Edward R. Murrow Award for Investigative Reporting
April 25, 2017 1:40 PM
BATON ROUGE – WBRZ-TV was awarded a 2017 regional Edward R. Murrow Award presented by the Radio Television Digital News Association for Investigative Reporting. The honor was awarded for coverage of Reporter's Unlawful Arrest , that features WBRZ's Chief Investigative Reporter Chris Nakamoto getting detained by police while checking... more » -
Council on Aging gives vague response to demand for an inquiry after WBRZ reports
April 18, 2017 3:39 PM
BATON ROUGE – The board of directors of the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging promises stricter oversight following numerous reports by the WBRZ News 2 Investigative Unit. WBRZ was first to report issues at the Council on Aging surrounding a deceased woman naming Council on Aging employees in... more » -
EBR Mayor lifts her silence on COA issue, state investigation underway Play Video
April 13, 2017 12:35 PM
BATON ROUGE- Following a tumultuous two weeks for the East Baton Rouge Parish Council on Aging, the WBRZ Investigative Unit has learned the Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs has launched an investigation into the EBR C ouncil on Aging. The East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor also weighed in today, saying... more » -
Council on Aging director removes herself from client's will Play Video
April 5, 2017 5:19 PM
UPDATE: EBR Council on Aging Director Tasha Clark Amar has removed herself as the manager of a deceased client's estate . Trudy Bihm has refused to take over in Clark Amar's place. Dorothy Jackson has removed herself as an attorney for the case. A judge has ordered all sides... more » -
The Investigative Unit: Elevated lead levels found in East Feliciana water Play Video
March 16, 2017 4:27 PM
SLAUGHTER – Louisiana is requiring the East Feliciana Parish Water System to test their water more frequently after an Investigative Unit report that showed brown water flowing from the taps two weeks ago . Brown water was coming out of Slaughter resident Artis Cain's home for nearly 72 hours... more » -
INVESTIGATIVE UNIT: Former prosecutor faces arrest for violent tirade against estranged wife Play Video
March 10, 2017 12:14 PM
BATON ROUGE- A warrant was filed for the arrest of a former prosecutor in the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney's Office. According to records obtained by the WBRZ News 2 Investigative Unit, David Deblieux is accused of going off on a tirade that left his wife and her... more » -
Man in custody after escaping from Plaquemine courthouse
February 23, 2017 1:23 PM
PLAQUEMINE – A man briefly escaped custody at the Iberville Parish Courthouse in Plaquemine Thursday. Sheriff Brett Stassi tells WBRZ that Jammie Dennis was sentenced to 30 days in jail at court Thursday morning. As he was being escorted from the courthouse, Dennis broke away, climbed a fence and... more » -
INVESTIGATIVE UNIT: Officials claim water is safe but refuse to take a sip Play Video
February 21, 2017 6:44 PM
SLAUGHTER- Over the past 24 hours, brown water began pouring out of some taps in East Feliciana Parish. Despite having nasty and murky water coming out of faucets, officials claim the water is safe and no boil order is required. Artis Cain has spent his entire life in East Feliciana... more » -
UPDATE: WBR Work release inmate captured at Metairie parade Play Video
February 17, 2017 12:13 PM
WEST BATON ROUGE – The West Baton Rouge work release inmate that escaped last week has been captured. WBR inmate Mertis Wade was captured last night around 8 p.m. at the Krewe of Caesar Parade in Metairie. When authorities ask Mertis why he left, he stated he wanted to... more » -
NEW: Ex tells deputies she fears for her life, stalked by former police union president Play Video
February 9, 2017 2:15 PM
DENHAM SPRINGS – The ex-girlfriend of a Baton Rouge Police officer said she feared for her life and was threatened into believing her ex could get away with anything because of his job, a report obtained first by the WBRZ News 2 Investigative Unit reveals. The file is connected... more » -
Investigative Unit captures public equipment doing private jobs Play Video
October 27, 2016 5:25 PM
ST. FRANCISVILLE- Freshly cut grass and nicely manicured parking lots are things you'd expect on public property. But, you don't expect your tax dollars to pay to maintain private property. Our cameras captured that happening in the quaint town of St. Francisville. It has been going on for decades... more » -
New Roads mayor focus of theft, malfeasance grand jury probe Play Video
July 29, 2016 12:18 PM
NEW ROADS - The mayor of New Roads received a grand jury target letter , the WBRZ Investigative Unit learned. Mayor Robert Myer has been the focus of an Inspector General investigation into charges on a city credit card. The Investigative Unit found in a series of reports, at... more » -
Greensburg Mayor quits amid WBRZ Investigative Unit report Play Video
May 19, 2016 10:39 PM
GREENSBURG- The longtime Mayor in the Town of Greensburg resigned amid a report that aired Thursday on WBRZ-TV. The Investigative Unit uncovered he has been living in a completely different parish than the town he represents. An ordinance on the books in the town mandates, "The Mayor... more » -
Following mistaken release, man's DWI charge upgraded
May 19, 2016 11:31 AM
DENHAM SPRINGS – Two months after being arrested twice in the same night on DWI charges, the district attorney here upgraded the charges against Jeffery Blough. The original DWI charge Blough was first arrested for on the night of March 19 was changed to a 4th offense DWI, court... more » -
Mayor quits as Nakamoto, WBRZ Investigative Unit report looms
May 17, 2016 1:32 PM
GREENSBURG - The mayor of this small town resigned amid a WBRZ Investigative Unit inquiry into where he resides. The story is still being finalized for a television presentation later this week, but Burke Jones wrote in an email Tuesday, he was stepping down. The story is scheduled to... more » -
Home invasion, rape in Garden District prompts security fears Play Video
May 6, 2016 2:58 PM
BATON ROUGE - An unusual police presence was seen in the Garden District Friday as officers investigate an overnight home invasion and rape amid a series of sexual assaults in the area. The WBRZ Investigative Unit learned through sources that as many as three victims say they have been... more » -
Videos of school yard brawls cause concerns about student safety Play Video
May 5, 2016 6:50 PM
BATON ROUGE - Videos of teens in Baton Rouge brawling at school have been posted on the internet and are raising concerns about school safety. The head of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System told The Investigative Unit the videos are "unacceptable". The videos have all been uploaded... more » -
911 call reveals moments before police kill Baker man Play Video
April 23, 2016 12:32 AM
MIAMI, FL - The Investigative Unit obtained 911 tapes detailing what happened moments before a Baker man was killed by police in Miami. "C'mon just leave me alone, you've done enough f***ing damage," a woman's voice says. " The voice belongs to the Francis Scot Dufore's ex. She... more »