FBI Subpoenas Baton Rouge Mayor-President's Office in CATS Corruption Probe

Arrests made in ongoing investigation into alleged misconduct tied to Capital Area Transit System contracts

Jan. 29, 2026 at 8:31pm

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A federal corruption investigation that began in 2024 led the FBI to serve subpoenas at the office of Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and several East Baton Rouge Parish council members. The probe is focused on alleged misconduct related to Capital Area Transit System (CATS) contracts, resulting in multiple arrests so far.

Why it matters

The FBI investigation into potential corruption at the highest levels of Baton Rouge's city-parish government raises serious concerns about the integrity of public contracting processes and the oversight of taxpayer-funded transit services. The case highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in local government.

The details

Sources say the FBI subpoenas were served on July 25, 2024, and multiple cell phones were seized as part of the investigation. Former Mayor-President Broome has reportedly received a target letter from the FBI, indicating she is under federal scrutiny. Several people have been questioned so far, though details remain limited due to the ongoing nature of the federal probe. The investigation began after the Louisiana Bureau of Investigations received a request for assistance from the FBI regarding allegations of public officials accepting bribes and misusing their positions to influence CATS procurement contracts.

  • The FBI subpoenas were served on July 25, 2024.
  • The corruption investigation began in 2024 after the Louisiana Bureau of Investigations received a request for assistance from the FBI.

The players

Sharon Weston Broome

The former mayor-president of Baton Rouge, who has reportedly received a target letter from the FBI indicating she is under federal investigation.

Cleve Dunn

An East Baton Rouge Parish councilman who has been indicted for allegedly misusing his position to influence CATS contracts, including receiving kickbacks from a $50,000 CATS contract.

Pearlina Thomas

The former chief administrative officer of CATS, who has been arrested for her alleged role in facilitating contracts without following required protocols.

Jay Colar

The current owner of Supreme Solutions, a company that received a CATS contract that was allegedly facilitated by Pearlina Thomas.

Terral Jackson

One half of a Baton Rouge husband-wife duo who have been charged in the ongoing corruption investigation for a CATS contract related to a 'COVID-19 Mitigation Research Grant – Contactless Payment Project.'

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Cleve Dunn out on bail.

The takeaway

This federal corruption investigation into Baton Rouge's city-parish government and CATS contracts raises serious concerns about the integrity of public contracting processes and the oversight of taxpayer-funded transit services. It highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in local government to ensure public funds are being used responsibly.