Executive Summary
- Metro Councilman Cleve Dunn Jr. faces 11 felony charges, including bribery and money laundering.
- The indictment is part of a joint state and federal corruption investigation in Baton Rouge.
- The probe has also implicated officials connected to the Capital Area Transit System (CATS).
- Previous indictments involve allegations of contract fraud and misuse of Covid-19 mitigation funds.
BATON ROUGE, La. — A grand jury indicted Baton Rouge Metro Councilman Cleve Dunn Jr. on Wednesday, charging the District 6 representative with 11 felony counts, including money laundering, public bribery, and conspiracy to commit theft over $25,000. The indictment is part of a sweeping joint investigation by state and federal authorities into alleged municipal corruption.
According to court documents released by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, Dunn faces charges of felony theft, public contract fraud, illegal splitting of fees, malfeasance in office, and misuse of public funds. Investigators allege the financial irregularities involve significant sums of taxpayer money diverted through complex schemes.
The inquiry has expanded rapidly, with Dunn becoming the latest official implicated in a broader probe that has already resulted in five indictments. Authorities previously indicated that a co-conspirator identified as "C.D." assisted in steering a $50,000 contract to a local company. While Dunn declined to comment on specific questions regarding the investigation earlier this month, reports suggest investigators linked him to these transactions.
This indictment follows charges filed on January 14, 2026, against former Capital Area Transit System (CATS) CEO Pearlina Thomas and contractor Jay Colar. Arrest documents state that Thomas utilized her authority to approve contracts valued under $50,000 to bypass the requirement for CATS Board approval. Additionally, on January 21, Teral and Erica Jackson were indicted regarding the alleged misuse of public funds intended for Covid-19 mitigation to influence a tax millage campaign.
The investigation also encompasses the December 2025 indictment of developer Bradly Brown, who faces counts of bank fraud and falsifying public records related to a city-parish housing contract funded by federal dollars. The Attorney General’s Office has confirmed the investigation remains active but has limited public comments on ongoing proceedings.
Legal Ramifications and Governance Impact
The indictment of a sitting Metro Council member signals a critical phase in the effort to root out systemic malfeasance within Baton Rouge’s public institutions. The charges, ranging from bribery to money laundering, suggest a pattern of procedural circumvention regarding public contracts and federal funds. As the Louisiana Attorney General and federal partners continue their work, legal experts anticipate further scrutiny of municipal financial records and potential inquiries into oversight mechanisms. It is important to note that Councilman Dunn, along with the other individuals named in these indictments, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
