Former state Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David Lacerte is being accused of mismanaging the agency. Legislative Auditor Darryl Purpera claims in the report that Lacrete used over $27,000 in federal funds, earmarked for a veterans cemetery, to buy an SUV for department use. Purpera claims LaCerte also paid $44,000 to some law school classmates for professional services without a contract or documentation of what they did…:
CUT 4 (07) “of public funds”
Lacerte’s attorney, Jarrett Ambeau, says this is nothing more than a political attack by Purpera and Inspector General Stephen Street because his client was pushing an agenda in favor of veterans:
CUT 6 (08) “for doing so”
The audit also found problems with hiring practices, and reporting of potential crimes under the previous administration.

Thibodaux police identify the two men who shot and injured each other during a parade Sunday as 20-year-old Ryan Harris, and 33-year-old Quincy Johnson, both of Napaleaonville. They are reported to be in stable condition.

A woman who was rescued by Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputies after jumping off the Huey P Long Bridge over the Mississippi River, is undergoing psychiatric care today. Colonel John Fortunato says they got a 911 call around 1pm Sunday, from someone saying they’d seen a female park and abandon her car on the bridge…:
CUT 11 (04) “Mississippi River”
Fortunato says the deputies who responded, Jordan Burst and David Lowe, found the woman stuck headfirst into a hole in a support beam and were able to tether down and save her.