Investigation looks into whether neighborhood-revitalization money used to make good on hot check Play Video

By SONJA BAILES sbailes@ktbs.com

Posted: Sep 30, 2009 10:10 AM
Updated: Oct 1, 2009 11:26 AM

Three private contractors and three fired city of Shreveport employees made their initial court appearances today as part of the ongoing corruption investigation of the city's Department of Community Development.

 As they were in court, the Caddo Sheriff's Department continued its investigation -- which has broadened to another neighborhood-revitalization group and is looking at suspected use of taxpayer money for personal use, including making restitution on a hot check written by one of the contractors.

Today's hearing in Caddo District Court was a routine first appearance: A defense attorney enrolled to represent each defendant, who will be arraigned in November. The seventh defendant has unrelated charges pending and will be in court next week on those charges and the City Hall case. All remain free on bond.

  The contractors -- who were hired by the city to make home improvements on the residences of low-income, sick and elderly residents -- are accused of overcharging for some of the work they did, charging for work that wasn't done and getting paid for substandard work that was not in line with their contracts. The inspectors in Community Development, whose jobs were to verify that work was done, are accused of filing false reports that the work had been properly done.

  Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator said his investigation is far from over.

  Its focus has shifted to the Queensborough Neighborhood Association. Sheriff's detectives have seized records of checking accounts and a credit card. Like Community Development, the association is involved in housing revitalization.

  Investigators said they have evidence of double billing and payment for work that was not done

  Of particular interest is a $2,758 hot check written by Santana Brown, one of the contractors charged in the Community Development case. Sources said a check stub found at the QNA office indicated a "loan" was made to Brown for him to make restitution to the district attorney's hot checks section.

  Whether a personal relationship between Brown and QNA executive director and Caddo School Board member Lola May played a role in that transactions is being looked at, Prator said.  

  "Certainly there's no secret that there's a relationship there," Prator said. "And it's so open that I'll tell you, 'Yes, we're looking at that relationship, also.'"

  Both Brown and May declined comment today.
  .
  The contractors arrested in the Community Development case are Brown; Alphonso Williams, owner of Williams Enterprises; James Alex III of Ninja Remodeling; and James Lester with ReGenesis Construction. The city inspectors, who were fired shortly after arrests, are Ray Jones, Jackie Mandigo and Daniel LaCour.

   Williams is scheduled to be in court next week. He is facing previously filed charges of illegally dumping dirt at a construction company's rock crusher site.

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