Louisiana: Review Finds Oversight Gaps in $113.5 Million in NGO Spending as Governor Urges Stronger Treasury Oversight
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry is calling on State Treasurer John Fleming to tighten oversight of taxpayer-funded appropriations to nongovernmental organizations, after a state review identified weaknesses in how some of the money is monitored and distributed. Inspector General and Chief Integrity Officer Angele Davis reviewed appropriations authorized during the 2026 Regular Session totaling approximately $113.5 million for 272 nongovernmental organizations.
The Louisiana Department of the Treasury is responsible for administering approximately $107.2 million of that funding. Landry said the inspector general found serious oversight failures, that her work protects taxpayers' dollars, and that fighting waste, fraud and abuse has been his priority from day one, adding that it is now up to the treasurer.
The review identified weaknesses in payment practices, financial oversight, vendor verification and reporting requirements, and recommended stronger controls before taxpayer dollars are released. The Governor's Office cited one organization that received an initial $400,000 payment from an $800,000 appropriation: a Legislative Auditor review found $205,123 was transferred from its dedicated account within six months and required progress and cost reports had not been filed, and the Treasury withheld the remaining $400,000. Another organization received a $37,500 advance on a $75,000 appropriation.
The Governor's Office said the review's recommendations will be used to strengthen verification before funds are released and reporting requirements afterward. The Treasury has not announced a specific timeline for corrective steps.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：路易斯安那州议会大厦（Baton Rouge）。摄影：Farragutful，CC BY-SA 3.0（Wikimedia Commons）。Photo: the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge. Photo by Farragutful, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
