Louisiana
Louisiana Treasurer denounces Bank of America for ‘disgraceful practices’
![Louisiana Treasurer denounces Bank of America for ‘disgraceful practices’ Louisiana Treasurer denounces Bank of America for ‘disgraceful practices’](https://gray-kalb-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4L7C35RT2FF7VJPH34JSH2JQFU.jpg?auth=d87880e7c0232d90ae6ef2555d4ffcb1eb58c3ea568055c4fc7a91ebdcf5aee2&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
BATON ROUGE, La. (KALB) – On Monday, August 12, Louisiana Treasurer Dr. John Fleming announced his recommendation for not approving Bank of America as an authorized fiscal agent for the State of Louisiana.
State Treasurer Fleming announced he did not approve an application by Bank of America for the financial institution to become one of the many “authorized fiscal agents” for the State of Louisiana, nor was the application recommended to the Louisiana Interim Emergency Board.
According to Fleming, he made his decision after reviewing news reports and evidence alleging the institution has deliberately denied banking services to the customers of Christian organizations, firearms manufacturers and fossil fuel producers out of political bias and discrimination and not bank policy or law violations; a claim the financial institution says is “factually incorrect.”
“Since the 1960s, the people of the United States have made it clear that discrimination against fellow Americans is unacceptable. It appears that Bank of America, among other financial institutions, has revived this disgraceful practice.”
Among the discriminatory actions and political bias, Fleming said the institution has conducted a practice known as “de-banking,” an act where a banking organization closes an entity’s bank account due to concerns of risk (financial, reputational or legal).
Fleming highlighted Bank of America’s connections to a United Nations-based alliance made up of 43 other countries, that advocates for stronger green energy, which the Louisiana Treasurer says if implemented, would have “extremely negative economic consequences for the people of Louisiana.”
Dr. Fleming has previously denounced Bank of America in April, in a joint letter with 12 other U.S states alleging the bank has a “track record of de-banking religious organizations.”
“No American should be denied access to banking services or face discrimination because of their political viewpoints, party affiliation, religious beliefs or occupation.”
Bank of America has since released a letter in response to the accusations, denying religious and/or political views as a factor in account decisions. In a given statement to KALB, Bank of America says they are, ” proud to provide banking services to more than 100,000 non-profits associated with religious organizations.”
You can view Bank of America’s full response to the joint letter here:
Due to Fleming’s choice not to recommend the application for Bank of America to become an authorized fiscal agent, the financial institution will not handle or disburse funds for the State of Louisiana.
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Copyright 2024 KALB. All rights reserved.
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Louisiana
Arrested: Louisiana Man Accused Of Sexually Abusing Children
![Arrested: Louisiana Man Accused Of Sexually Abusing Children Arrested: Louisiana Man Accused Of Sexually Abusing Children](https://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/08/attachment-Andrew-Guidry-Picture-courtesy-of-Beauregard-Parish-Sheriffs-Office.jpg?w=1200&q=75&format=natural)
A southwest Louisiana man who was arrested in July and again this month on allegations of abusing children is said to have been working as a teacher and a deacon at a Baptist church according to KPLC.
According to the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office, they started an investigation into Andrew Guidry on July 22 after complaints came in about the man. They arrested him on two counts of Sexual Battery on a victim below the age of 15.
When he was arrested he was booked into the Beauregard Parish Jail on July 24, and his bond was set at $100,000.
Then during the month of August, another victim came forward claiming they were harmed. Guidry was arrested by Beauregard Sheriff’s detectives on August 5 for another Sexual Battery count. The Sheriff says the person was in charge at the time the incident happened.
KPLC then continued to investigate the 32-year-old man to discover that Guidry was a teacher at Beauregard High School between the years of 2022 and 2024. School officials say they do not believe that the victims involved in these crimes were students at the school. Checking other records they found that for six days at some point Guidry was a substitute teacher at
It was also discovered that Guidry was a deacon at Dry Creek Baptist Creek. Their Senior Pastor Charlie Bailey says Guidry is suspended from a leadership position within in the church while the authorities are continuing to investigate this man.
At the beginning of the case, and continuing now, officials with the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office are asking anyone who might have been a victim to call them at 337-463-3281.
Guidry is currently being held in jail on a $50,000 bond after the latest victim has come forward.
As far as members of Dry Creek Baptist Church, Bailey says he does not think any of the victims were at the church in a related function but he also says that anyone who knows something should report it to law enforcement or talk to a church elder.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This is a developing story, and the KPEL News Team is working to provide additional coverage for Acadiana. Updates will be shared as they become available, so download the KPEL News app via Google Play or in the App Store and subscribe to breaking news alerts to get the latest information sent directly to your mobile device.
You can also use the KPEL app to submit a news tip, share a traffic update, or chat directly with our on-air team.
Be sure to bookmark our latest site, wearelafayette.net, where we provide more local news coverage as well as lifestyle and community features.
To report errors, omissions, or other concerns regarding the content above, send emails to news@kpel965.com.
Louisiana
How Louisiana’s extreme heat can impact a student-athlete
![How Louisiana’s extreme heat can impact a student-athlete How Louisiana’s extreme heat can impact a student-athlete](https://gray-kalb-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EF4L5V3SAJHQDKS6IHDZZESC7M.jpg?auth=19328cd36b24e9f92f2c993937cf1cd803cf9d1f2eac9a3caaee086427380a0b&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) – With football season approaching, teams across the country are preparing for game day, but here in the South, one of the biggest concerns for any athlete is the heat.
This year, temperatures in Cenla have consistently been in the 90s and above, creating a dangerous obstacle for teams to tackle.
KALB’s Julia Keller learned more about how to keep student-athletes hydrated and how to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
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Copyright 2024 KALB. All rights reserved.
Louisiana
Former Louisiana trooper seeks $200K from state for excessive force defenses
![Former Louisiana trooper seeks 0K from state for excessive force defenses Former Louisiana trooper seeks 0K from state for excessive force defenses](https://gray-wafb-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QPP7VWQSSBEWRBU7GIJHZBXS5U.png?auth=905fe1a66ab9e41a1df5a520b59d8b1999ea52cea4c062f0cb179b57601c66ea&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – A former Louisiana state trooper argues that the state government owes him more than $200,000 in attorneys fees he spent defending himself against criminal charges related to his time on the force.
Former Trooper Jacob Brown racked up a $210,813.40 legal fee after hiring lawyers to defend him, according to a complaint filed in the 19th Judicial District earlier this month.
According to the Associated Press (AP), Brown, who patrolled in north Louisiana, was involved in 23 use-of-force incident between 2015 and 2021. Nineteen of those incidents targeted Black people, the AP reported.
In one case involving the violent arrest of a Black motorist, Brown told fellow troopers “it warms my heart knowing we could educate that young man.”
In 2021, he resigned after being arrested for hitting a Black man 18 times in the head with a flashlight. Last year, a federal jury acquitted Brown of violating the civil rights of the man. The incident, captured on video, left the man with a broken jaw and ribs. Brown said the blows were used as “pain compliance” as he tried to detain the motorist, the AP reported.
A state charge brought against Brown in the 5th Judicial District tied to yet another matter was also dismissed, according to Brown’s lawsuit.
Attorney Russell Woodard Jr. represents Brown. In the lawsuit seeking reimbursement, Woodard cites state law which allows for law enforcement officers to collect reimbursement for attorney fees in criminal cases where the crime occurred while the suspect was working on behalf of the state and the incident did not end with a conviction.
The law also requires that the officer be “acting in good faith” at the time.
Brown attorney says his client was indeed acting in good faith during the incidents that landed him in court.
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Copyright 2024 WAFB. All rights reserved.
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