BATON ROUGE — What began as an investigation into Capital Area Transit System contracts has grown into a sweeping corruption probe, producing multiple arrests and now implicating some of East Baton Rouge Parish’s most prominent public officials.
On Thursday morning, East Baton Rouge Schools Superintendent and former East Baton Rouge Parish Councilman and mayor pro tem LaMont Cole, accompanied with Erica & Terral Jackson, turned themselves in to the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. Cole bonded out of jail around 2:30 Thursday afternoon.
This comes after a grand jury indicted Cole on Wednesday, Aug. 5. That indictment came from what is an ongoing investigation from the Attorney General’s Office into the East Baton Rouge city-parish government. Cole was indicted on the following charges: two counts of criminal conspiracy to commit public bribery, malfeasance in office, and money laundering of $20,000 or more.
The Jacksons were also indicted on Aug. 5th of money laundering and conspiracy to commit public bribery. This comes after they were indicted earlier this year on other charges.
Cole’s bond was set at $15,000, while the Jacksons have a $10,000 bond each. There are no special conditions on their bonds.
READ NOW: Arrest warrant details scheme; payments allegedly linked to Councilman Cleve Dunn
On Wednesday, Cole emailed a message to all staff in the East Baton Rouge School System:
Greetings, Beloved EBRPSS Family,
By now, many of you have likely seen the news. I plan to release a personal statement once I feel we are fully prepared for the first day of school.
For now, my focus remains exactly where it has always been, on our students and ensuring they have an outstanding start to the school year.
This is one of the most exciting times of the year. In fact, it’s my favorite time of year.
Nothing brings me greater joy than watching our students step off the bus or arrive through the carpool line on the first day of school.
Seeing their smiling faces and feeling the excitement and anticipation they bring reminds us why we do this work.
The work we do is not easy, but every morning we choose to show up and give of ourselves selflessly for the students and families we serve. That calling has not changed.
As I shared with you yesterday, I am incredibly proud of all we have accomplished together, and I am even more excited about what we will achieve in the days and months ahead.
Tomorrow, let’s inspire, motivate, and encourage every student to be their very best. They deserve nothing less than our very best, and I know that is exactly what you will give them.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment, your sacrifice, and your heart for children. I believe in each of you, and I have no doubt that together we will make this an exceptional school year.
I hope to see you all very soon.
With gratitude,
LaMont
Multiple people have already been indicted and arrested in connection with the ongoing CATS investigation.
Cole stepped into the role as EBR Schools superintendent two years ago. The school district recently celebrated its strongest post-pandemic LEAP test results, with improved student performance across every content area and improved or maintained results in 27 of 31 tested areas, the district shared.
Allegations against Cole
UWK has learned that Cole’s investigation focuses on his time while he was on the East Baton Rouge Metro Council, specifically when he was Mayor Pro Tem.
In 2024, the FBI began investigating certain people inside city-parish with target letters issued, as well as subpoenas confiscating cell phones, multiple credible sources confirmed to UWK. That investigation from the feds has not yielded any charges but the ongoing Attorney General’s investigation is based on findings from the FBI, per their indictments.
East Baton Rouge School Board leadership—Shashonnie Steward and Cliff Lewis—did issue a statement after Cole’s indictment on Aug. 8:
As President and Vice President of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, we are issuing this statement in our personal capacities as leaders in this district, rather than speaking on behalf of the full School Board.
We are aware of the legal developments and the state grand jury investigation into Superintendent LaMont Cole concerning matters related to his prior tenure on the Metro Council.
We want to explicitly state that we stand firmly behind Mr. Cole as he navigates this matter. Our legal system is built on the foundational bedrock of due process and the presumption of innocence. Just as we teach our students to respect fair processes, we must allow the legal system to run its course without premature judgment or distraction.
Our primary duty, and the collective duty of our district leadership, is to protect the stability and integrity of our educational environment. The critical day-to-day operations of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System will proceed without interruption. Our dedicated teachers, administrators, and support staff remain entirely focused on preparing our classrooms, uplifting our students, and delivering the high-quality education our families deserve.
We will keep our focus anchored exactly where it belongs: on the academic success, safety, and well-being of the children of East Baton Rouge Parish. We ask our entire community to maintain faith in our schools as we move forward together.
Grand jury indictments
On Jan. 28, a grand jury indicted current East Baton Rouge Parish Councilman Cleve Dunn on multiple felony charges. Investigators allege Dunn conspired with former CATS Chief Administrative Officer Pearlina Thomas, who has already been arrested, to steer a $50,000 contract to vendor Jay Colar, who is also facing charges.
According to arrest warrants, the majority of the contract funds, more than $45,000, ultimately went to Dunn.
The Attorney General’s Office has said the investigation remains active and that additional indictments are possible.
MORE: Arrest warrant: Cleve Dunn conspired to secure CATS contracts
MORE: CATS investigation lands husband and wife behind bars
MORE: CATS contract scheme detailed through warrants
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