Public employees accused of ripping off taxpayers, LSU scholarship offered to spelling bee champ

The Advocate's Top Headlines

with Jennifer Wadsworth | Assistant metro editor

Good morning. Here's a sampling of some of our latest stories.

Fraud squad

At least six people stand accused of ripping off taxpayers to the tune of $800,000 by pilfering Louisiana's hurricane relief aid last year. Officials told us that a few of the defendants were on the public payroll to boot — including a former fraud prosecutor and two state Fire Marshal’s Office employees.

Youssef Rddad has the scoop.

On a related note but in an unrelated case …

Reporter James Finn wrote a separate story involving public employees accused of fraud. In this case, an Amite City woman pleaded guilty to witness tampering and bribery in a year-long fraud scheme that hinged on an insider at the Tangipahoa Sheriff's Office.

Ex-LSU athlete charged

Former LSU football player Barkevious Mingo was arrested in Texas and accused of sexual contact with a child.

Here's what we know so far.

Scholarship offer

In one of his first acts as LSU president, Dr. William Tate offered 14-year-old Scripps National Spelling Been champ and Harvey native Zaila Avant-garde a full-ride scholarship to the university.

Carjackings

BRPD responded to two carjackings Friday, both at local hospitals but, police say, completely unrelated to each other. One happened at Our Lady of the Lake. The other at Baton Rouge General.

Thanks for stopping by — enjoy the rest of your weekend!