Visit Baton Rouge discovered on its February 2020 bank statement five counterfeit checks that totaled $6,927 in missing public funds, according to a recent report issued by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor.
Upon realizing in early March that the checks—cashed in Harahan, Slidell and New Orleans—were fraudulent, VBR officials turned to the Baton Rouge Police Department for assistance, according to the report, while also notifying JPMorgan Chase, the district attorney’s office, Postlethwaite & Netterville and the Legislative Auditor’s Office.Â
By April 6, Chase provided the tourism agency with full restitution of the missing money. The theft was attributed to nonemployees of the agency.Â
No formal charges were filed at the time of the auditor’s report, though a police investigation remains ongoing. Read the state auditor’s full report.
