I-TEAM: Search at Impact Charter School tied to possible theft investigation
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - A search warrant obtained by the WAFB I-TEAM details the execution of a search warrant at Impact Charter School in Baker earlier this week.
In their warrant application, investigators wrote they were searching for any evidence of theft, illegal transmission of monetary funds, injuring public records, and filing false public records. The warrant was signed by 19th Judicial District Judge Eboni Johnson Rose.
Investigators sought “all financial and accounting records, together with any supporting documentation, associated with Educations Explosion, Inc. found on the premises of Impact Charter School,” the warrant said.
According to the warrant, those records included credit card records and personnel files for the school’s Chief Executive Officer, Chakesha Scott.
Investigators also sought personal, business, financial records associated with Scott, Impact Charter’s Principal Eric Scott, Marilyn Webb, Philana Square, Courtney Scott, and other family members of Chakesha Scott.
Documents reviewed by the WAFB I-TEAM show that several financial records were seized while investigators were on campus on Monday, May 13. Among them were Scott’s tax documents and several electronic devices.
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Roger Harris, Executive Counsel and Assistant Legislative Auditor for Investigations, declined comment on the matter other than to say the investigation was ongoing.
In a letter issued Monday evening, Scott wrote that she wants to “assure our community that we cooperated fully with the authorities and provided all requested documents promptly.”
“It’s important to highlight that our school has consistently passed all audits over our 10-year tenure,” the letter said. “We are confident that this matter will be resolved favorably and that it will reaffirm our school’s commitment to operating with integrity.”
Read the full letter here.
Impact Charter Letter by rianwafb on Scribd
A school representative declined when asked to provide updated information related to the search.
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