The heat is turning up in Baton Rouge for the BRAVE slush fund

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Amid controversy over who got BRAVE grants, calls made for state auditor to probe mayor's deals

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BATON ROUGE – There are at least two requests for a state investigation into Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome's handling of the BRAVE grant program.

Monday afternoon, the newly-formed Louisiana Law Enforcement PAC asked the legislative auditor to review grant funding for the BRAVE program since the mayor's administration took over at the first of the year.

Fiance records indicate the PAC was created earlier in 2017 and Jeff Leduff was listed as chairperson. A letter asking for an investigation into the grant program was signed, though, by Chris Stewart, the Executive Director.

“...funds allocated for the BRAVE program have been redirected to contract with local individuals to provide art camps, flag football games, poetry workshops, events to engage young girls, transportation and other services.

“… While these activities may be of value to at-risk youth, they do not appear to be in line with the BRAVE grant guidelines and mission,” Stewart wrote.

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Not long after the request from Stewart, Metro Councilman Buddy Amoroso called for a similar inquiry by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor. Amoroso told WBRZ, it appears contracts granted to people after Broome took office appear to be political favors.

This weekend, Amoroso shared research he tallied from public information posted online with the Louisiana political blog The Hayride. Amoroso later told WBRZ, he found contracts awarded to people to conduct work as part of BRAVE through the mayor's office were issued for values under that which required metro council approval.

The mayor's office said Broome would not be available to discuss the situation Monday.  

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