You may feel a little sick: The Louisiana Legislative Auditor says a second review of financial records at Jefferson Community Healthcare Centers has uncovered illegal use of public money and transactions involving former Jefferson Parish Councilman Byron Lee and his family. The auditor found that more than $200,000 in clinic funds were transferred to the personal bank account of former chief financial officer Ebony Williams, and that $135,000 in public money was used for unearned benefits as well as political donations, a for-profit business investment and a Christmas party. The Times-Picayune has the full story here.
The big payback: Baton Rouge-based construction machinery firm H&E Equipment Services announced this morning plans to sell $480 million in debt to investors. In a news release, H&E says it will use the proceeds to retire existing debt and pay a special, one-time cash dividend of $246 million, or roughly $7 per share. The dividend amount and date it would be paid still need approval from the company’s board of directors. Get the full details here.
