WBRZ https://www.wbrz.com/ WBRZ The Investigative Unit The Investigative Unit en-us Copyright 2025, WBRZ. All Rights Reserved. Feed content is not avaialble for commercial use. () () Sun, 16 Feb 2025 HH:02:ss GMT Synapse CMS 10 WBRZ https://www.wbrz.com/ 144 25 Levy meets with students after Law School dean cancels class Thursday https://www.wbrz.com/news/levy-meets-with-students-after-law-school-dean-cancels-class-thursday/ https://www.wbrz.com/news/levy-meets-with-students-after-law-school-dean-cancels-class-thursday/ The Investigative Unit Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:54:30 AM Bess Casserleigh & Logan Cullop Levy meets with students after Law School dean cancels class Thursday

BATON ROUGE - Professor Ken Levy returned to LSU but not his classroom Thursday after the First Circuit halted a judge's ruling that would have reinstated his teaching status.

The Investigative Unit obtained the interim order that the stay was granted, which means that Levy will not be allowed back in class until the appeals court takes further action.

On Thursday afternoon he did what he is allowed to do as a tenured professor — visit his office in the LSU Law School.

Levy was removed from teaching classes in January after comments he made during class against Governor Landry surfaced. A lawsuit says that Levy told students, "F*** the Governor" in response to a video posted by Landry, which showed a clip of Levy's Law School colleague Nicholas Bryner discussing the conduct of students who voted for Trump.

After his removal, attorneys for Levy sued the school, saying that he could not be removed from the classroom for political comments.

In a hearing Tuesday, 19th JDC Judge Tarvald Smith ruled that Levy must be allowed back in class. LSU filed an appeal Wednesday and the legal battle between Levy and LSU advanced to the First Circuit Court of Appeal, which decided Thursday to put a hold on Smith's ruling.

About an hour before Levy's class was scheduled to begin, a message went out to students saying it would be canceled to "give time for everyone to plan next steps."


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Attorney disputes Impact Charter audit findings, claims there are factual errors https://www.wbrz.com/news/attorney-disputes-impact-charter-audit-findings-claims-there-are-factual-errors/ https://www.wbrz.com/news/attorney-disputes-impact-charter-audit-findings-claims-there-are-factual-errors/ The Investigative Unit Wed, 12 Feb 2025 6:10:20 PM Bess Casserleigh Attorney disputes Impact Charter audit findings, claims there are factual errors

BAKER - A legislative audit found operators of the Impact Charter School, d.b.a. Education Explosion, may have mismanaged nearly $2.5 million in funds intended for education, the WBRZ Investigative Unit uncovered.

The audit alleges 93 percent of those funds were diverted from Education Explosion via excessive lease payments, a PPP loan and contract services with another charter school.

Ron Haley, who represents Education Explosion, says the money is still there.

"I've seen the records. The funds that were used for those lease payments and the PPP loan are still in the account, accounted for, so this was not used to fund anyone's lifestyle or any individual's lifestyle," he said.

The audit says potentially millions were diverted from the school to pay for cars, home improvement, luxury goods and travel.

"I do not believe the monies used for the school were used for personal gain. If you look at any payment that was made from Education Explosion to Impact Charter School, were only for the lease payments to pay for the building. That's it."

One thing Haley does not dispute is the school money spent on travel.

The audit says CEO Chakesha Scoot spent $130,000 on trips for herself, her husband, and her daughter, including long vacations overseas. Haley says it was all for legitimate educational conferences.

"What we're talking about is continuing education classes, which most professional professions do."

The school's travel budget is $16,000. Haley argues it's money well spent.

"Who's to say that the things that employees from Education Explosion have learned on these trips weren't use to help Impact Charter School grow? Because the data is there. This school has grown tremendously. You can ask anyone at Department of Education. You can ask anybody at BESE. The growth this school has had from conception to right now is absolutely phenomenal."

On Monday, a judge sided with Haley, granting a restraining order against the audit being released, because Haley says the judge agreed there could be factual errors.

However, the ruling came too late. There is a hearing set for Tuesday on the matter.


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INVESTIGATIVE UNIT: Family members meet with APSO following officer-involved shooting https://www.wbrz.com/news/investigative-unit-family-members-meet-with-apso-following-officer-involved-shooting/ https://www.wbrz.com/news/investigative-unit-family-members-meet-with-apso-following-officer-involved-shooting/ The Investigative Unit Tue, 11 Feb 2025 1:40:48 PM Bess Casserleigh & Logan Cullop INVESTIGATIVE UNIT: Family members meet with APSO following officer-involved shooting

GONZALES - People who saw law enforcement officers kill a man outside a gas station Monday morning say their memories don't match the report released by State Police, the WBRZ Investigative Unit learned.

The manager of the gas station and family member of the man who was killed says he did not shoot first.

Witnesses said 25-year-old Abdulrahman Ali stopped at the Fuel Stop on West Orice Roth Road, the store his family owns, around 12:30 a.m..

According to State Police, Ascension Parish deputies and a Gonzales Police officer stopped Ali outside of the store because his vehicle was connected to a robbery at a convenience store.

Troopers said Ali got out of his car holding a gun and ignored officers' commands to drop it. He reportedly fired the gun into the air and then pointed the weapon at officers before he was shot and killed.

Witnesses who spoke to the WBRZ Investigative Unit said Ali was not the first to fire.

A surveillance video obtained by the WBRZ Investigative Unit shows the 28 seconds before Ali died. Witnesses who were there the night of the shooting confirmed that the footage depicted what they saw early Monday morning.

The footage shows a person sitting on top of the trunk of a car with his legs folded underneath him. The video does not have audio, but it appears the person was talking to officers before moving his hand to his side. Seconds later, he was shot several times.

WBRZ reached out to State Police, who sent this official statement:

I will not be able to confirm any videos that were posted on Facebook as they could have been edited, changed, or otherwise altered.  However, I will tell you that LSP does not, and will not release information pertaining to an investigation that WE have not CONFIRMED to be true and accurate.  Thanks.  Please see the UPDATE to the release we submitted yesterday evening for an details you want to verify as true.  The facts are in the News Release. 

WBRZ has reached out to the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office and Gonzales Police Department to see the status of the law enforcement officers involved. 

The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office said they have met with the family of Ali to discuss Monday's fatal shooting. Deputies say they allowed Ali's family to view several videos showing what transpired, and they answered all their questions. 

Deputies said they acknowledge it doesn't remove the pain and heartache of losing a loved one, but it is their hope the family has a better understanding of what occurred. 

Family members also released a statement you can read here.  The translation says Ali was acting under a state of "anger and recklessness." He fired at one business, drove to another, and that's when law enforcement caught up with him.  The family also asks for everyone to pray for him and have mercy and forgiveness.  


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INVESTIGATIVE UNIT: Mismanagement at Impact Charter School funded CEO's extravagant lifestyle https://www.wbrz.com/news/investigative-unit-mismanagement-at-impact-charter-school-funded-ceo-s-extravagant-lifestyle/ https://www.wbrz.com/news/investigative-unit-mismanagement-at-impact-charter-school-funded-ceo-s-extravagant-lifestyle/ The Investigative Unit Sun, 9 Feb 2025 10:51:43 PM The Investigative Unit INVESTIGATIVE UNIT: Mismanagement at Impact Charter School funded CEO's extravagant lifestyle

BATON ROUGE - The operators of the Impact Charter School at Baker mismanaged nearly $2.5 million in funds set aside to educate children, including hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on personal expenses for the school's chief executive, according to a report released Monday by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's office reviewed by The Investigative Unit.

The findings, which have been turned over to state and federal prosecutors, follow a May 2024 raid at the school, which is operated by Education Explosion. The non-profit, which has provided educational services in East Baton Rouge Parish since 2009, holds a charter that is set to expire June 30.

A 2023 audit showed the school has an annual budget worth about $8 million, with about $7 million coming from state and federal funding. The amount allegedly mismanaged is nearly one-third of the school's yearly expenses.

The school has just over 400 students in kindergarten through 8th grade.

The audit, conducted in response to complaints the auditor's office had received, alleges the school's CEO, Chakesha Scott, diverted money to the Friends of Impact Charter School, where she is also the CEO. In addition to improperly using money from the FICS account, the auditors say, she used school funds to pay for trips taken by herself and her family, lease or buy vehicles for personal use, pay off credit card charges that appeared personal in nature and pay for improvements at a building the school did not own.

In its response to the audit, the school said information was cherry-picked and "reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the relationship" among the various entities associated with the school. "Dr. Scott also notes that if there were any inadvertent errors in corporate formalities or record-keeping, those errors can be corrected," the response said.

The full audit report, at 173 pages, is available here. Its key findings:

-Education Explosion's CEO diverted $1,504,268 to a bank account for Friends of Impact Charter School;
-The CEO diverted another $171,659 to a third party on FICS’ behalf, and used some money on personal expenses;
-The CEO diverted at least $221,506 in fees from students, parents and others to FICS and non-school accounts; 
-The CEO spent $130,494 on travel for herself, her husband, and her daughter (exceeding the school travel budget by $114,094), including trips to Chicago, Disneyland Paris, Egypt and New York;
-The CEO spent $166,520 in school money on an Acura MDX and a Land Rover Velar she and a daughter used;
-The CEO spent $129,493 to improve a building the school did not own;
-With the school credit card, the CEO spent $88,607 on goods and services that appear personal in nature, including payments to an online university, cleaning charges and online personal training classes. 

Also, the auditors also say she may have used charter school funds to pay for work at her home, including landscaping and the installation of an in-ground swimming pool. 

In total, auditors found just over $2.5 million in charter school funds were mismanaged or diverted from their intended purpose.

Some of the money diverted to FICS, for example, ultimately benefited Scott and a daughter. FICS records showed Scott take $42,371 the same day she and her daughter bought a used Tesla for the same amount.

"Copies of this report have been delivered to the District Attorney for the 19th Judicial District of Louisiana, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, and others as required by law," Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack wrote in the audit's summary. Scott and others may have violated several state and federal laws, the audit said.

A lawyer for FICS told the auditor's office last month that the auditor had no authority over it. It declined to respond to the audit and objected to its inclusion. "FOICS requests that any reference to it be removed from the audit report," laywer J. Lane Ewing Jr. wrote.

Amid the audit process, Education Explosion started to apply for charter renewal in August, but in December, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education did not include Impact Charter School on a list of schools applying for charter renewal. School leaders sued to be added to the agenda, but the judge dismissed the lawsuit and ordered the school to pay for the court proceedings.

A month later, BESE approved the charter school for renewal with stipulations that there may be special conditions depending on the findings of the investigative audit.


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Judiciary Commission says they need more time to decide fate of 19th JDC judge removed from bench https://www.wbrz.com/news/judiciary-commission-says-they-need-more-time-to-decide-fate-of-19th-jdc-judge-removed-from-bench/ https://www.wbrz.com/news/judiciary-commission-says-they-need-more-time-to-decide-fate-of-19th-jdc-judge-removed-from-bench/ The Investigative Unit Thu, 6 Feb 2025 5:53:03 PM Bess Casserleigh & Logan Cullop Judiciary Commission says they need more time to decide fate of 19th JDC judge removed from bench

NEW ORLEANS - The judiciary commission was granted 60 extra days to find an appropriate punishment for 19th JDC Judge Eboni Johnson Rose. 

The WBRZ Investigative Unit previously reported that Judge Johnson Rose was temporarily suspended in August 2024 and justices said that she could do "serious harm" if she continued to serve as a judge. Chief Investigator Bess Casserleigh reported on a handful of controversial rulings for the judge. 

Despite the suspension, Johnson Rose ran for a seat on the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal and was allowed to stay on the ballot. She lost the race to Judge Kelly Balfour, who won 57% of the votes. 

Sources tell the Investigative Unit that the additional time was granted because the commission is close to establishing a consent agreement and finding an appropriate penalty. 


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State Police lieutenant out on bond after arrest in off-duty domestic violence incident https://www.wbrz.com/news/state-police-lieutenant-out-on-bond-after-arrest-in-off-duty-domestic-violence-incident/ https://www.wbrz.com/news/state-police-lieutenant-out-on-bond-after-arrest-in-off-duty-domestic-violence-incident/ The Investigative Unit Thu, 6 Feb 2025 7:03:28 AM WBRZ staff State Police lieutenant out on bond after arrest in off-duty domestic violence incident

BATON ROUGE - A State Police lieutenant is on administrative leave after he was arrested for domestic violence on Thursday.

Arrest documents obtained by the WBRZ Investigative Unit said Trooper James Jefferson III, 40, was taken into custody by Baton Rouge Police around 12:45 a.m. Jefferson was released from custody Thursday afternoon after posting a $10,000 bond.

Officers responded to a domestic abuse call along Lake Sherwood Avenue South around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday and found Jefferson and his wife arguing.

Documents said a family member called law enforcement after hearing a struggle between the couple and the woman yelling for help before being thrown to the ground. Both Jefferson and his wife denied that they physically fought and told officers that only a verbal altercation happened. Police noted that there were fresh scratches on Jefferson's hand.

Officers found surveillance video of the incident that included audio. Police said they could hear but not see a struggle followed by the victim yelling: "he's punching me" and "don't throw me on the ground." Documents said the altercation happened while a 7-year-old child was in the back seat of the truck.

Jefferson was booked for domestic abuse battery with child endangerment. At a bond hearing Thursday afternoon, a judge did not issue a protective order against Jefferson.

State Police said he will remain on leave until an administrative and criminal investigation are complete. Jefferson has been a trooper since 2007 and was assigned to State Police headquarters.

In 2021, Jefferson was interviewed for Baton Rouge Parents magazine. In an interview, he said that being a parent improved his life and made him more patient. 

"Parenthood has changed me for the better. You’re more cautious about how you live life. You’re very calculated about the things that you do and the way that you go about presenting yourself to your kids. Also, patience, for me, has been a big thing," Jefferson said. 


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Appeals court says LSU doesn't have to put law professor back in class before full hearing https://www.wbrz.com/news/appeals-court-says-lsu-doesn-t-have-to-put-law-professor-back-in-class-before-full-hearing/ https://www.wbrz.com/news/appeals-court-says-lsu-doesn-t-have-to-put-law-professor-back-in-class-before-full-hearing/ The Investigative Unit Tue, 4 Feb 2025 10:09:34 AM WBRZ Staff Appeals court says LSU doesn't have to put law professor back in class before full hearing

BATON ROUGE - LSU can't be forced to put embattled LSU law professor Ken Levy back in the classroom without a full hearing on the evidence, the First Circuit Court of Appeal ruled Tuesday.

The LSU Board of Supervisors had asked the court Monday to review a 19th Judicial District ruling ordering the university to let him return to teaching.

The First Circuit decision said a temporary restraining order like the one issued by Judge Don Johnson in Levy's case that forces one party to do something "may not issue without a full evidentiary hearing."

Levy, who is tenured, was removed from his teaching position Jan. 22. The lawsuit Levy filed against the university said that in a class a few days earlier about police and public interactions, Levy said "F**k the governor" and "f**k that" while criticizing Governor Jeff Landry for publicly rebuking a law school colleague.

Jill Craft, who represents Levy in the suit, has said that if the profanity was the problem "then maybe somebody needs to explain to me how Brian Kelly is on TV using the 'f word' directed at students."

However, Attorney General Liz Murrill, said the free speech protections of the First Amendment don't prevent a school from control of or discipline related to a teacher's lectures.

Professors do not have "carte blanche to say whatever they wish, whenever they wish," Murrill said.

Levy's suit claimed a student complained to the governor and calls were made to the university administration. Levy and the law school dean met and concluded the meeting with an agreement that the professor could continue to speak his mind about controversial issues.

The lawsuit further says that Levy's comments came about because of a no-recording policy he instated due to an issue involving one of his colleagues at the law school, in which LSU law school professor Nicholas Bryner's lecture was criticized on social media by Landry shortly after the election.

A hearing is set to be held Feb. 10 on Levy's suit.

LSU issued the following statement regarding the First Circuit Court's decision: 

The First Circuit has recognized LSU’s right to respond to concerns about inappropriate conduct in the classroom.

Our position on this matter has been very clear; the Ken Levy situation is not a question of academic freedom. The university values the rights of faculty to engage in scholarly discourse and express diverse viewpoints. However, there are limits and standards when it comes to the classroom based on what LSU views to be civil discourse and maintaining a healthy relationship between students and faculty.

LSU took immediate action to remove Professor Levy from the classroom after complaints about the professor’s remarks. Our investigation found that Professor Levy created a classroom environment that was demeaning to students who do not hold his political view, threatening in terms of their grades, and profane. To be clear, academic freedom “involves doing the job of facilitating learning and gaining knowledge relevant to the subject being taught or researched.” Our investigation revealed that Professor Levy crossed that line. For the good of the students, we expect faculty to explore the subject matter, not threaten or indoctrinate.

Gov. Jeff Landry, who Levy's comments referenced, also commented on the situation Tuesday. 

"To my fellow citizens, is this the type of language and attitude you expect your tax dollars to pay for?" Landry said in a social media post. "No judge would tolerate this conduct in their courtroom or any legal professional setting. It should not be tolerated at our taxpayer funded universities either."


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INVESTIGATIVE UNIT: Battle between LSU Law professor, university heads to appeals court https://www.wbrz.com/news/investigative-unit-battle-between-lsu-law-professor-university-heads-to-appeals-court/ https://www.wbrz.com/news/investigative-unit-battle-between-lsu-law-professor-university-heads-to-appeals-court/ The Investigative Unit Mon, 3 Feb 2025 1:00:37 PM Bess Casserleigh INVESTIGATIVE UNIT: Battle between LSU Law professor, university heads to appeals court

BATON ROUGE - The LSU Board of Supervisors filed a writ to the First Circuit Court of Appeal Monday, attempting to reverse a decision made by a 19th JDC judge to let an LSU Law professor return to the classroom until a hearing can happen regarding his sudden removal over political comments made during a lecture. 

The WBRZ Investigative Unit learned that the university is filing an appeal to keep LSU Law Professor Ken Levy out of the classroom. The tenured professor was removed from his teaching position Jan. 22. 

"I don't think it's unexpected, given that LSU has so far pushed back on these fundamental freedoms," Levy's attorney Jill Craft said. "I'm not sure why they keep taking a position that they want to spend all this public money to prevent this man from teaching, which is the job they hired him for."

WBRZ previously reported Levy was teaching a class on Jan. 14 about police and public interactions when, according to a lawsuit he filed, he said “F**k the governor” and “f**k that" while criticizing Governor Jeff Landry for publicly shaming a law school colleague on social media.

"If this ends up being all about cursing, then maybe somebody needs to explain to me how Brian Kelly is on TV using the 'f word' directed at students."


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State Police issue statement after DOJ outlines excessive use of excessive force https://www.wbrz.com/news/state-police-issue-statement-after-doj-outlines-excessive-use-of-excessive-force/ https://www.wbrz.com/news/state-police-issue-statement-after-doj-outlines-excessive-use-of-excessive-force/ The Investigative Unit Fri, 17 Jan 2025 12:03:09 PM WBRZ Staff State Police issue statement after DOJ outlines excessive use of excessive force

BATON ROUGE — Louisiana State Police issued a statement Friday after a U.S. Justice Department report was released that said the agency engages in patterns of law enforcement practices that deprive citizens of their rights under the U.S. Constitution.

State Police said they continue to work diligently on improving their relationship with the state's citizens, law enforcement partners, political leaders and agency personnel.  

"We are committed to providing the citizens of our state the most professional law enforcement agency in the country. Our focus is on Public Safety in all the corners of the state," the agency said in its statement.

The DOJ's report, released Thursday, said that the agency routinely uses excessive force, including the unjustified use of Tasers, and escalates minor incidents involving people who do not pose a threat. The entire report is available on the Justice Department website. 

The federal investigators also looked into whether State Police engage in racially discriminatory policing, but said Thursday's report included findings regarding excessive force.

The DOJ, concluding a report that has been in the work since a 2022 investigation, also found that the agency uses unreasonable force without warning and without giving people an opportunity to comply with directions.

The investigation started after Ronald Greene's death during a 2019 traffic stop.

Following its release, Gov. Jeff Landry said the report "seeks to diminish the service and exceptionality" of the State Police.

"We will not let that happen," Landry said Thursday, without offering specifics. "The reputation of our men and women in blue is one of respect, admiration, and appreciation, and we will always have their back."


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INVESTIGATIVE UNIT: Freshman QB 'stable' after serious wreck on LSU campus https://www.wbrz.com/news/investigative-unit-freshman-qb-stable-after-serious-wreck-on-lsu-campus/ https://www.wbrz.com/news/investigative-unit-freshman-qb-stable-after-serious-wreck-on-lsu-campus/ The Investigative Unit Thu, 16 Jan 2025 5:20:01 PM Bess Casserleigh & Logan Cullop INVESTIGATIVE UNIT: Freshman QB 'stable' after serious wreck on LSU campus

BATON ROUGE - Pieces of Colin Hurley's sportscar were scattered alongside Highland Road near the South Gates of LSU's campus on Thursday morning, hours after a crash that sent the Tiger Football player to a hospital.

The WBRZ Investigative Unit first broke the news that the LSU backup quarterback's red Dodge Charger smashed into a tree near the corner of Highland Road and South Quad Drive around 2:45 a.m. A photo taken from the crash site shows the front end of the vehicle crushed.

The 17-year-old was in and out of consciousness as firefighters pulled him out of his vehicle and into an ambulance. First responders didn't note any major injuries but said Hurley had a large cut on his face.

Late Thursday morning, LSU students walked past broken pieces of Hurley's car that were scattered along the sidewalk and into the grass beside the road. A large piece of bark was missing from the live oak tree that Hurley's car hit. Parts of it had been turned to sawdust. 

Hurley's family sent the following statement, saying that he will make a full recovery from the wreck:

"Colin would like to thank the first responders, the incredible doctors and nurses at Our Lady of the Lake Health and the many Tiger Fans for their care and compassion. Colin is resting and is stable while more tests and care are being administered. We are confident that Colin will make a full recovery from this terrible accident."

A crash report from Thursday morning said that impairment in the wreck is not suspected.


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Freshman LSU QB involved in on-campus wreck early Thursday morning https://www.wbrz.com/news/freshman-lsu-qb-involved-in-on-campus-wreck-early-thursday-morning/ https://www.wbrz.com/news/freshman-lsu-qb-involved-in-on-campus-wreck-early-thursday-morning/ The Investigative Unit Thu, 16 Jan 2025 10:16:08 AM Logan Cullop Freshman LSU QB involved in on-campus wreck early Thursday morning

BATON ROUGE - LSU's backup quarterback Colin Hurley was injured in an on-campus crash around 2:45 a.m. Thursday and found unresponsive.

Sources tell the WBRZ Investigative Unit that Hurley's Dodge Charger crashed into a tree at South Quad Drive and Highland Road, near the south gates of LSU's campus.

Officials said Hurley was unresponsive but breathing. A crash report said firefighters pulled Hurley out of his vehicle. He was in and out of consciousness and had a large cut on his face.

The cause of the crash has not been released, but officials said impairment was not suspected.

According to Hurley's family, Colin is resting and stable and they are confident he will make a full recovery.

Hurley, 17, is a freshman from Jacksonville, Fla. An update on his condition has not been provided. Hurley is the third-string quarterback behind Garret Nussmeier and Michael Van Buren. 


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Months-long LSP investigation into drugs, illegal activity at EHCC results in one arrest for gambling https://www.wbrz.com/news/months-long-lsp-investigation-into-drugs-illegal-activity-at-ehcc-results-in-one-arrest-for-gambling/ https://www.wbrz.com/news/months-long-lsp-investigation-into-drugs-illegal-activity-at-ehcc-results-in-one-arrest-for-gambling/ The Investigative Unit Wed, 15 Jan 2025 4:14:18 PM Bess Casserleigh Months-long LSP investigation into drugs, illegal activity at EHCC results in one arrest for gambling

Four months after Governor Jeff Landry requested State Police launch an investigation into Elayn Hunt Correctional, it appears it quietly concluded with a single arrest. 

Following a WBRZ Investigative Unit report with an anonymous Department of Corrections employee who complained about the drug proliferation within the facility, Landry met with State Police Superintendent Col. Robert Hodges.

"I had a number of conversations with Colonel Hodges and I have instructed them to begin an investigation into the allegations that appeared in the WBRZ report and other reports that came from that particular story," Landry said.

Since then, WBRZ has aired a number of reports detailing further issues within D.O.C. While trying to get an update on the status of the investigation State Police told WBRZ it was "closed pending any further investigative leads."

A spokesperson added the culmination of the investigation was the Dec. 20 arrest of 48-year-old inmate Broderick Scott for running an illegal gambling operation. 

The Investigative Unit asked the governor's office whether he felt the investigation properly addressed his initial concerns about drugs inside the prison. He was not in town, but his office sent the following statement:

I applaud LSP for their investigation. Through their work they uncovered a large-scale illegal gambling operation. Illegal activity within our correctional facilities will not be tolerated, and I appreciate LSP's hard work and the inter agency cooperation that has existed throughout this investigation.

Over the course of the investigation and our reporting, several high ranking D.O.C. officials were suspended, including Assistant Warden Craig White, who was put on administrative leave for reasons D.O.C. would not disclose.

Hunt's Head Warden Donnie Bordelon was suspended and relieved of his duties following an incident in which an inmate was severely beaten.

As of January, both White and Bordelon have gone back to work within the prison system. 


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Final criminal defendant in Ronald Greene case reaches deal with prosecutor https://www.wbrz.com/news/final-criminal-defendant-in-ronald-greene-case-reaches-deal-with-prosecutor/ https://www.wbrz.com/news/final-criminal-defendant-in-ronald-greene-case-reaches-deal-with-prosecutor/ The Investigative Unit Wed, 15 Jan 2025 10:23:01 AM Sarah Lawrence Final criminal defendant in Ronald Greene case reaches deal with prosecutor

FARMERVILLE — The final law enforcement officer facing criminal charges in the 2019 death of death of motorist Ronald Greene pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor simple battery charge Wednesday, a day after federal prosecutors said they wouldn't bring charges in the case.

A civil lawsuit over Greene's death following a traffic stop is still pending.

Former Union Parish Deputy Chris Harpin had faced two counts of malfeasance in office after prosecutors alleged he pepper-sprayed Greene while he was handcuffed. In a statement Wednesday, District Attorney John Belton said his office's evidence did not meet the "beyond a reasonable doubt standard" necessary for a conviction.

He said state officials and lawyers for Greene's family agreed to the case was resolved.

"The state has consistently held the position that the federal government has the most resources and is most appropriately positioned to fairly investigate and to pursue the prosecution of any federal offenses in this case, including civil rights violations," Belton said. 

A no contest plea means Harpin does not admit guilt, but is willing to accept that the state has sufficient evidence against him in the simple battery case.

In Louisiana, the penalties for misdemeanor simple battery include a fine of up to $1,000 and imprisonment up to six months. 

Federal prosecutors told family members Tuesday they would not file criminal charges against the law officers who stunned, punched and dragged Greene on a roadside and amid allegations of an attempted cover-up by the Louisiana State Police.

The Associated Press reported the U.S. Justice Department informed Greene's family of the decision as officials were also preparing to release findings from a broader civil rights investigation that found a pattern of state troopers using excessive force.

That “pattern-or-practice” inquiry, launched in 2022, followed an AP investigation that found Greene’s arrest was among at least a dozen cases in which state troopers and their bosses ignored or concealed evidence of beatings, deflected blame and impeded efforts to root out misconduct in the agency.

The body-camera footage, withheld by officials for two years but published by AP in 2021, showed troopers swarming Greene even as he appeared to raise his hands, plead for mercy and wail, “I’m your brother! I’m scared! I’m scared!” Troopers repeatedly jolted Greene with stun guns before he could even get out of the car, with one of them wrestling him to the ground, putting him in a chokehold and punching him in the face. Another called him a “stupid motherf-----.”

They then ordered a shackled Greene to remain face down on the ground, a prone restraint that experts said could have dangerously restricted Greene’s breathing.

State police initially blamed the 49-year-old’s death on a crash following a high-speed chase over a traffic violation. But that explanation was called into question by photos of Greene’s body on a gurney showing his bruised and battered face, a hospital report noting he had two stun gun prongs in his back and the fact that his SUV had only minor damage. Even the emergency room doctor questioned the troopers’ initial account of a crash, writing in his notes: “Does not add up.”

A reexamined autopsy ordered by the FBI ultimately debunked the crash narrative and listed “prone restraint” among other contributing factors in Greene’s death, including neck compression, physical struggle and cocaine use.

A federal indictment seemed imminent for several years, so much so that federal prosecutors asked the local district attorney to hold off on bringing state charges until the FBI inquiry ran its course. They later reversed course, and, in late 2022, a state grand jury indicted five officers on counts ranging from negligent homicide to malfeasance.

The state case withered away to charges against just two of those officers, one of whom dragged Greene by his ankle shackles and pleaded no contest last year to misdemeanor battery. Harpin's plea Wednesday concluded the state proceedings.

The federal investigation also included a lengthy focus on the state police brass suspected of obstructing justice by suppressing video evidence, quashing a detective’s recommendation to arrest a trooper and pressuring a state prosecutor.

Still pending is the federal wrongful death lawsuit Greene’s family filed four years ago seeking damages from the officers, who have denied wrongdoing. The civil case was long put on hold as the criminal proceedings played out. The recent no contest pleas in the criminal cases do not bolster the civil case.


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Fired BRPD officers going before review board in February after board rules not to toss out appeals https://www.wbrz.com/news/fired-brpd-officers-going-before-review-board-in-february-after-board-rules-not-to-toss-out-appeals/ https://www.wbrz.com/news/fired-brpd-officers-going-before-review-board-in-february-after-board-rules-not-to-toss-out-appeals/ The Investigative Unit Mon, 13 Jan 2025 2:44:55 PM WBRZ Staff Fired BRPD officers going before review board in February after board rules not to toss out appeals

BATON ROUGE — Three BRPD officers fired during a probe of police misconduct can continue efforts to get their jobs back next month after a police disciplinary board ruled Monday not to toss out their terminations before a hearing.

The three officers — Doug Chutz, Todd Thomas and Troy Lawrence Sr. — were fired in 2024 after accusations came to light that they covered up the 2020 beating of a man in custody by discarding body camera footage during their time serving on the now-defunct Street Crimes unit.

The Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board ruled in a 4-1 vote not to toss out the firings without the board first considering the evidence. An appeals hearing has been set for Feb. 24.

Chutz, Thomas and Lawrence all pleaded not guilty to criminal charges they face based on the accusations. They are awaiting trial for malfeasance in office and obstruction of justice charges.

Another officer, Martelle Jackson, resigned as a police officer following the accusations. Because of this, he is not part of the appeal.


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EBR DA says making arrests in non-fatal shootings is key to lowering homicide rate https://www.wbrz.com/news/ebr-da-says-making-arrests-in-non-fatal-shootings-is-key-to-lowering-homicide-rate/ https://www.wbrz.com/news/ebr-da-says-making-arrests-in-non-fatal-shootings-is-key-to-lowering-homicide-rate/ The Investigative Unit Fri, 10 Jan 2025 4:45:47 PM Bess Casserleigh EBR DA says making arrests in non-fatal shootings is key to lowering homicide rate

BATON ROUGE - The arrest of two men in Baton Rouge charged with multiple counts of attempted murder is the type of police work EBR District Attorney Hillar Moore says will eventually drive down the homicide rate.

Ladarius and Michael Miller, both 22, are in jail for a pair of non-fatal shootings from October. 

According to an arrest warrant, on October 12, Michael Miller, wearing a Dominos Pizza uniform and a black mask, shot someone multiple times. The victim was able to identify him by name to police.

Shell casings taken from that scene ended up matching another shooting that occurred just nine days before.

The victim in that shooting said his home on Gerald Drive was shot up. He and another person inside were not injured and again, he was able to identify Miller as the shooter.

Police also eventually connected Ladarius to that shooting as well.

Though neither of these shootings were fatal, Moore says crimes like these are just as important as homicides.

"That's really what we need to do, is have a lot of focus on non-fatal shootings," Moore said. 

While the two Millers were arrested before anyone was killed, it often doesn't happen that way.

"The biggest thing is the non-fatal shootings where someone is shot and nobody is arrested. It leads to the next shooting, which could be a homicide."

Most recently, at the end of last year, 19-year-old Roger Parker was arrested for the shooting death of eight-year-old Diellon Daniels.

According to arrest paperwork, police had already been looking at Parker for other non-fatal shootings including one on Fairchilds Street more than a month prior.

Moore says keeping track of all non-fatal shootings is a near-impossible task with the resources the city-parish currently has.

"You're going to have a hard time following up on those when you are 115 officers short, you're 100 deputies short, and the D.A.'s office is short. It's tough to follow that up and dedicate manpower when other things pop up as they go along. It's a very difficult job for the chief, the sheriff, mayors, D.A.s to really take care of that the way they should without having proper staff."

Michael Miller is currently in jail on a $400,000 bond. Ladarius is also in jail on a $135,000 bond.

They are both set to be arraigned later this month.


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State Police issue warrant for former LSU player Kyren Lacy alleging negligent homicide, hit-and-run https://www.wbrz.com/news/state-police-issue-warrant-for-former-lsu-player-kyren-lacy-alleging-negligent-homicide-hit-and-run/ https://www.wbrz.com/news/state-police-issue-warrant-for-former-lsu-player-kyren-lacy-alleging-negligent-homicide-hit-and-run/ The Investigative Unit Fri, 10 Jan 2025 1:33:08 PM Domenic Purdy, David Hamilton State Police issue warrant for former LSU player Kyren Lacy alleging negligent homicide, hit-and-run

CHACKBAY — Former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy was accused of negligent homicide Friday. State Police say he caused the death of a 78-year-old man by driving recklessly along La. 20 near his hometown of Thibodaux last month.

A warrant accuses Lacy of killing 78-year-old Herman Hall on Dec. 17 when he "recklessly passed multiple vehicles at a high rate of speed." Troopers said Lacy, 24, is accused of crossing lanes while in a designated no-passing zone on La. 20 near Perez Lane in Chackbay.

The driver of a truck abruptly braked and swerved to the right to avoid a head-on collision with an approaching Dodge Charger, believed to be driven by Lacy, troopers said. As the car behind the truck, a Kia Cadenza, swerved to avoid Lacy's Charger, troopers said it hit another car, a Kia Sorento, in the opposing lane head-on.

Troopers said Lacy then drove around the crash scene and fled south on La. 20 without stopping. Hall, the passenger of the car that was hit head-on, later died in a hospital. 

Troopers have obtained a warrant for Lacy's arrest on negligent homicide and hit-and-run charges.

Troopers said they are in contact with Lacy and his legal representation asking the football player to surrender.

According to Hall's daughter, they were told days after the crash that the suspect was "a high-profile person." 

"We are going to take our time," Heather Hall Dickerson said she was told by State Police. 

Troopers said it took so long to issue a warrant because they had to speak with witnesses and gather as much visual evidence as possible. They said they wanted to make sure they had everything possibly available before they put out the information to confirm Lacy was driving.

Dickerson's mother was also injured in the crash, saying she was released from the hospital with a broken sternum and seven broken ribs. 

Dickerson said her father, a veteran of the Marine Corps, "would have wanted justice."

WBRZ spoke with attorney Digger Earles, who plans to represent Hall's family in a civil lawsuit. Earles said he has been involved in a lot of high-profile litigation over his career and has never seen a name withheld by officials because someone was a high-profile individual. 

"I don't understand why state police would withhold information like the name of the defendant because he plays football, that is ridiculous to me," Earles said.

Earles mentioned that while he is a big LSU fan, he will not let that stand in the way of this case.

"I've cheered Kyren Lacy throughout his career, but it doesn't change my position or change my job I have to do seeking justice for this family."

Earles reiterated that Herman would want justice for what happened.

"My job is to seek justice for him and Mr. Herman. Mr. Herman lived his life fighting for justice, he would want someone to fight for him," Earles said.

LSU declined comment.

"We have no comment at this time out of respect for the legal process," it said.

Lacy's agent, Rocky Arceneaux, issued a statement saying Lacy is fully cooperating with authorities and that "the facts will ultimately demonstrate the truth." 

Lacy declared for the NFL draft two days after the hit-and-run.


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Former Iberville Parish Sheriff employees conspired to steal thousands by padding timesheets https://www.wbrz.com/news/former-iberville-parish-sheriff-employees-conspired-to-steal-thousands-by-padding-timesheets/ https://www.wbrz.com/news/former-iberville-parish-sheriff-employees-conspired-to-steal-thousands-by-padding-timesheets/ The Investigative Unit Thu, 9 Jan 2025 4:57:09 PM Bess Casserleigh Former Iberville Parish Sheriff employees conspired to steal thousands by padding timesheets

PLAQUEMINE - Two former Iberville Sheriff's Office employees conspired to steal taxpayer dollars by padding their timesheets, Sheriff Brett Stassi told The WBRZ Investigative Unit.

The grift involved the drivers of transport buses used to pick up residents with different disabilities.

Melissa Johnson and Lansing Snell were arrested in April for malfeasance in office. They were accused of stealing more than $6,000. The alleged crime was made public in a legislative audit of the sheriff's office released Monday. 

"What they would do, they would take turns, alternate who would go pick up the people - which that is not what we do. The crime is - you turn in the timesheet that you worked those hours, you did not," Stassi said.

The sheriff says he found out about the scheme from a couple of perceptive riders who noticed on several occasions both Snell and Johnson would be there to pick them up but not drop them off.

After investigating, Stassi says his office reported it to the legislative auditor, who noted it in their report released Monday. The audit suggested the sheriff's office put more oversight into timesheet approval to prevent it from happening again. Stassi said when it occurred, they were in the process of switching payroll systems.

But fixing the payroll process isn't enough. Stassi wants to make sure these two won't and can't do it again.

"I think the sticking point is, as sheriff, I want that POST certification to be taken off and I want a felony plea for the charge."

Snell is POST certified from a previous police officer job. Stassi says he does not deserve that status anymore.

"I just want to make sure this man does not go down the road to the next organization and use that POST certification. He's forfeited his right to have that POST certification."

Johnson pleaded guilty in September and received a year of probation. Snell has not yet been in court.


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Family scared for their safety after son's accused killer let out on bond https://www.wbrz.com/news/family-scared-for-their-safety-after-son-s-accused-killer-let-out-on-bond/ https://www.wbrz.com/news/family-scared-for-their-safety-after-son-s-accused-killer-let-out-on-bond/ The Investigative Unit Tue, 7 Jan 2025 6:45:48 PM Bess Casserleigh Family scared for their safety after son's accused killer let out on bond

BATON ROUGE - The family of an 18-year-old Broadmoor High senior who was killed two days before Christmas says they are living in fear and frustration. 

Loved ones of Kyle Earthly Jr. are angry with the system after accused killer Jeremiah Howze, 17, was released on bond just days after he was arrested.

"He was killed for being too nice," his aunt Dr. Maria Shantell Williams said. 

According to his family, Kyle — known as "KJ" — agreed to pick up his classmate Howze on Dec. 23 and bring him to Best Buy. Family members shared video of KJ leaving the house, skipping and seemingly in a good mood. It was Howze who deputies say killed him. 

"My son gave him several rides from school. They used to hang out, so that's why we are confused about the situation," KJ's mom Ashley Peterson said. 

Besides having his kindness taken advantage of, KJ's family said he was a good student, boyfriend and son. 

"Most people automatically assume the person that was killed was involved in gangs or drug activity, and that's not KJ's story," Dr. Williams said. 

The turmoil from losing KJ was compounded by the court proceedings after Howze was arrested for murder around a week later. Commissioner Nicole Robinson set a $150,000 bond, which he was able to make. 

"You're able to tell me that a 17-year-old can sit there and shoot my son several times in the head and you mean to tell me that he walked away with $150,000 bond and was able to bond out?" Peterson said. 

According to District Attorney Hillar Moore, while $150,000 is on the low end for second-degree murder bonds, it's not outside the normal amount. 

Regardless, KJ's family says they do not feel safe with their son's alleged killer out on the street, especially since they say his friends have been tormenting them online.

"Not only does he have people looking at our pages and stuff, I just don't feel safe at this point. I don't feel safe," Peterson said. 

KJ's family wants everyone to know the type of son he was.

"He's never been the type to get in trouble. My son likes to play games, be with his girlfriend, run around the house acting crazy, torturing his sisters, you know?" his mother said. 

His father said he has a message to other parents.

"They need to teach their sons how I was teaching my son: to be great, to strive to do better and have integrity," Kyle Earthly Sr. said. 


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EBR D.A. discusses city's 'violent street group' problem and why they are not 'gangs' https://www.wbrz.com/news/ebr-d-a-discusses-city-s-violent-street-group-problem-and-why-they-are-not-gangs-/ https://www.wbrz.com/news/ebr-d-a-discusses-city-s-violent-street-group-problem-and-why-they-are-not-gangs-/ The Investigative Unit Fri, 3 Jan 2025 5:46:39 PM Bess Casserleigh EBR D.A. discusses city's 'violent street group' problem and why they are not 'gangs'

BATON ROUGE - In 2024, statistics show domestic violence homicides went down, but gang-related violence drove the murder statistics in the parish 11 percent higher than the year before.

The recent arrests of Roger Parker, Yancey Jarrell Jr., Tremell Harris, and Kendrick Profit, who police say are responsible for multiple shootings across the parish including the murder of an eight-year-old are a prime example.

Baton Rouge police say the boy was caught in the crossfire when the group, who they suspect to be gang-affiliated, were allegedly trying to take out a rival. 

East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore says controlling gang activity is difficult.

"Here, we're really not able to keep up with that as much as we should," Moore said. 

Though, he says "gang" isn't really the right word to describe the groups running the streets in Baton Rouge.

"It's extremely clear that a 'gang' is a highly organized structure, like the Bloods and the Crips. They have a head. They have a hierarchy. They do not want to be caught, so they do whatever they can to not be caught. Street gangs or groups that we call them are much more highly violent than a gang."

The groups vary in size and are numerous.

"I think overall we probably have between 30 and 40 street groups but those that are rated the most violent probably right now are the top four."

Moore says it would be impossible to keep track of all of them especially because they morph and change constantly, but that the top four are responsible for the most violence.

"Which should be our focus between the Baton Rouge police, sheriff, D.A.'s office and all the federal agencies, that's in my opinion--where our focus should be and it should be every day each day dedicate teams and just focus on that."

However, he says that there simply aren't enough resources here in the city.

"Most mid-sized cities, or cities like our size, they have an intelligence agency that's probably 20 agents per. Ours are probably just a handful."

In his opinion, Moore says the only solution is to have that dedicated intelligence unit in place, which will require funding.


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EBR district attorney says despite efforts, homicides rising again and courts backing up https://www.wbrz.com/news/ebr-district-attorney-says-despite-efforts-homicides-rising-again-and-courts-backing-up/ https://www.wbrz.com/news/ebr-district-attorney-says-despite-efforts-homicides-rising-again-and-courts-backing-up/ The Investigative Unit Thu, 2 Jan 2025 4:47:47 PM Bess Casserleigh EBR district attorney says despite efforts, homicides rising again and courts backing up

BATON ROUGE — Despite a sharp decline from the all-time high in 2021, East Baton Rouge Parish has again seen an increase in total homicides year-to-year.

Across the entire parish, there were 113 homicides in 2024, up 11 from 2023. District Attorney Hillar Moore III says the increase can likely be attributed to a specific type of crime.

"One thing we do look at is domestic violence and intimate partner homicides. We did not see an increase in those, so [it's] more so street types of killings. We see the same thing over and over again. It is group, gang, drug-related homicides," Moore said Thursday.

Violent street groups, as they're called among local law enforcement, have been plaguing the parish and causing crime rates to skyrocket.

Moore says there's no easy fix.

"This is not a police problem. It's a community problem. I know police and elected officials get blamed a lot for the homicides, but this is really more an education, family, neighborhoods (problem) that we have to fix and it's going to take two decades, in my opinion, to fix this," he said.

Also notable, he said, compared to homicides within the city limits of Baton Rouge, the parish-wide numbers appear to be increasing. Baton Rouge proper saw 84 homicides this year, compared to 81 last year. 

"We have seen an increase in the parish numbers compared to the city, but we always knew as the parish grows and spreads out, that you're going to see more of that in the parish compared to the city, so I think that's likely sprawl from where we are but it is something that we need to take a look at and I know the sheriff is," he said.

Moore says one way to potentially tamp down the numbers is by devoting more resources to non-fatal shootings, which usually lead to fatal ones.

"That's what we really need to do is have a lot of focus on non-fatal shootings," he said. "Having said that, You're going to have a hard time following up on those when you're 115 officers short, 100 deputies short, the D.A.'s office is short. It's tough to follow that up and dedicate manpower to that when other things pop up as they go along."

Not only does understaffing affect catching criminals, it also is a major problem when it comes to prosecuting them.

"We're over 200 homicides that are waiting to be tried, over a number of years, so that's a significant number," the prosecutor said. "Unless and until we are able to fully staff the D.A.'s office, fully staff the [Office of the] Public Defender, and get these matters moving more quickly, that backlog will continue particularly if our homicide numbers remain high."

Moore hopes to increase resources in the D.A.'s office with a new tax he is proposing.

"Biggest idea behind the DA tax is for us to be more adequately funded and staffed and that's really the only way in my opinion that we're going to really to catch up," he said. "The hope is that if I'm able to pass the tax and have an adequate office and budget, then that frees up money that I'm getting right now from the city-parish to be able to use for the public defender to have them also fully staffed."

That tax, which would add 4 mills to property tax bills for 20 years and generate $20 million, will go before the state Bond Commission in February. If approved, it will be on the May 3 ballot.


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