The Sharon Weston Broome corruption investigation is a joint state and federal probe into contracts and grant spending during her two terms as Mayor-President of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish. Broome herself has not been charged. She was subpoenaed in April 2026 to testify before a special grand jury, and sources told reporters she is being treated as a witness rather than a target. Several of her former aides, a sitting Metro Council member, and multiple contractors tied to her administration have been indicted on felony counts including bribery, money laundering, theft, and public contract fraud.1WAFB. Former Mayor, EBR Metro Council Members Receive Subpoenas in Ongoing State Investigation
Where Broome Stands Legally
Broome has not been accused of any crime. Sources familiar with the investigation told WAFB in April 2026 that prosecutors view her as a “subject matter expert” rather than a target, and are seeking information about how her administration operated.1WAFB. Former Mayor, EBR Metro Council Members Receive Subpoenas in Ongoing State Investigation The April 2026 subpoena required her to appear before a special grand jury, and several Metro Council members received subpoenas around the same time.
As of early June 2026, Broome had not yet appeared.2WAFB. Councilman Happy to Assist City-Parish Corruption Probe In May 2026, she retained James Boren, a Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney who has practiced since 1976 and whose past clients include a former Baton Rouge mayor and defendants in the “Jena 6” case. Boren said he was “consulting with her about her options” and noted she could choose to answer questions or invoke her constitutional rights. A grand jury session originally set for May 6, 2026, was postponed, and no new date had been reported.3WAFB. Former Mayor Hires High-Profile Criminal Defense Lawyer; Grand Jury Postponed
Who Is Running the Investigation
The probe is led by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill and traces back to a 2022 FBI investigation. A special grand jury began meeting in late 2025.4The Advocate. Metro Council Corruption Probe Grand Jury Baton Rouge The Attorney General’s office has said publicly it expects additional indictments.5WAFB. Indictment Outlines Alleged CATS Contract Scheme Tied to Baton Rouge Councilman
The Courtney Scott Indictment
The defendant most directly connected to Broome’s office is Courtney Scott, who served as Broome’s Assistant Chief Administrative Officer and oversaw the “Safe, Hopeful, Healthy BR” initiative. In February 2026, a grand jury indicted Scott on nine felony counts, including malfeasance in office, felony theft, public bribery, money laundering, and public contract fraud.6WAFB. Former Mayor’s Top Aide Indicted on Conspiracy Charges
Prosecutors allege Scott used her position to steer city-parish contracts to Build Brand Design (BBD), a company owned by businesswoman Veronica Mathis. Bank records cited by prosecutors show BBD received $738,894 in contracts tied to the mayor’s initiative, and Scott allegedly took $193,937 in kickbacks routed through The Bryan Group LLC, a firm where she was a manager. Investigators believe she used the money to pay down her mortgage and credit card debt.7The Advocate. Courtney Scott Baton Rouge Indictment Kickbacks The alleged scheme ran from February 2021 through February 2024.6WAFB. Former Mayor’s Top Aide Indicted on Conspiracy Charges Scott had already resigned from city government in July 2024 after being accused of beating a man outside a nightclub.8WBRZ. Two With Ties to BR’s Safe Hopeful Healthy Program Charged in AG’s Public Corruption Probe
Mathis was indicted on eight counts, including conspiracy, theft, bribery, money laundering, and public contract fraud. She was booked into custody the same day as Scott.6WAFB. Former Mayor’s Top Aide Indicted on Conspiracy Charges
The Other Indictments
Charges have also emerged in connection with Capital Area Transit System (CATS) contracts, a federally funded housing project, and a COVID-19 grant.
Cleve Dunn Jr., a sitting Metro Council member from District 6, was indicted in January 2026 on nine felony counts including bribery, money laundering, and public contract fraud. Prosecutors allege he controlled a consulting firm that received $50,000 in CATS contracts and that he collected more than $30,000 in kickbacks.5WAFB. Indictment Outlines Alleged CATS Contract Scheme Tied to Baton Rouge Councilman
Pearlina Thomas, former CATS Chief Administrative Officer, was indicted on theft charges in January 2026, and contractor Jay Colar was indicted on theft charges tied to the same CATS scheme.5WAFB. Indictment Outlines Alleged CATS Contract Scheme Tied to Baton Rouge Councilman
Teral Jackson and Erica Jackson were indicted in January 2026 on allegations that they used a $50,000 COVID-19 mitigation grant to illegally fund a CATS tax millage campaign.5WAFB. Indictment Outlines Alleged CATS Contract Scheme Tied to Baton Rouge Councilman
Bradly Brown, a developer whose firm KMT Holdings received $6 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds for an affordable-housing project called “Housing for Heroes,” was indicted in December 2025 on seven counts including felony theft, bank fraud, and money laundering. The project was intended to build 36 apartments in Scotlandville for healthcare workers. Prosecutors allege Brown defrauded three banks of more than $1.2 million and misappropriated city-parish funds. Construction has never begun.9WAFB. Scotlandville Developer Charged With Theft, Bank Fraud
The Administration Under Scrutiny
Broome served as Mayor-President of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish from January 2017 through January 2025, elected first in a December 2016 runoff against Republican state senator Bodi White and reelected in December 2020 against Republican Steve Carter.10WAFB. Mayor Broome Wins Second Term Runoff She was the first woman and first Black woman elected to the position. A Democrat and former state senator, she lost her 2024 bid for a third term to Republican Sid Edwards, who defeated her in the December 7, 2024, runoff with 54 percent of the vote.11WAFB. Broome Swept Out of Office in Stunning Defeat
The programs at the center of the probe operated during her two terms. “Safe, Hopeful, Healthy BR,” which Scott oversaw, was a signature anti-violence initiative. The “Housing for Heroes” project was funded through federal American Rescue Plan dollars administered by the city-parish. CATS, while a separate transit agency, has deep budgetary and political ties to city-parish government.
Shortly before leaving office, Broome was elected president of the National League of Cities at its November 2024 City Summit for a one-year term.12National League of Cities. National League of Cities Announces New President, 2025 Leadership
What Happens Next
The special grand jury is still sitting, and the Attorney General’s office has indicated it expects more charges. Broome’s rescheduled grand jury date has not been publicly set.3WAFB. Former Mayor Hires High-Profile Criminal Defense Lawyer; Grand Jury Postponed Her legal status as a witness, not a target, could change as the investigation develops, but as of the most recent reporting she has not been accused of any wrongdoing and has retained counsel to advise her on how to respond to the subpoena.