BATON ROUGE, LA – An internal audit of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System revealed that a $300,000 check was altered and cashed by an individual officials described as “someone who seemed legit at the time.”
According to the audit, the check was issued for routine expenses before being modified and deposited without proper authorization, a process that went unnoticed until a later review uncovered “irregularities.”
Administrators said the person who cashed the check appeared credible based on available documentation, general confidence, and the fact that no one questioned it. Several layers of approval were reportedly bypassed, though officials clarified that this is not uncommon given staffing shortages, outdated procedures, and a longstanding culture of assuming everything is fine.
The district stated it is reviewing internal controls and considering additional safeguards, including additional training, clearer policies, and a policy prohibiting the cashing of altered $300,000 checks.
Administrators emphasized that while mistakes were made, the individual involved has not been described as “suspicious,” just “convincing.”
