TROOPER-GATE: State Troopers Association May Have Illegally Funneled Thousands To John Bel Edwards’ Campaign

A practice of funneling thousands of dollars to political campaigns through the Louisiana State Trooper Association (LSTA) Executive Director David T. Young may come with a big penalty.

Since 2003, Young has been a profligate donor to campaigns all across the state, across party lines, as a review of campaign records below shows. But allegations have been made that Young’s donations have been immediately reimbursed by the LSTA.

The most notable contributions are to Gov. John Bel Edwards’ campaign in his race last year against Sen. David Vitter (R-LA). At the time, the LSTA actually endorsed Edwards, something that came as a shock considering the organization had never endorsed a political candidate in its history.

Along with the endorsement, the LSTA apparently funneled a total of $10,000 to the Edwards campaign, filing the contributions under Young’s name, though Young was later reimbursed by the LSTA for that money. If the allegation of reimbursement is correct, that would make Young an illegal “straw donor” under campaign finance laws.

The use of “straw donors” is the violation of campaign finance law, albeit at the federal level, which was the source of the legal problems for prominent conservative intellectual and filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza. D’Souza reimbursed friends for making maximum donations to Wendy Long, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, and ultimately spent eight months in a halfway house in San Diego as part of his sentence for the criime.

A whistleblower close to the LSTA said Young confirmed in a Dec. 7, 2015 meeting that he did in fact make contributions through the LSTA using his name in order to help fund the Edwards campaign.

Young’s campaign contributions date back to 2003, with over $45,000 being funneled through the LSTA, say sources connected to the organization to make political donations that the LSTA membership has been allegedly paying for.

According to a source, members of the LSTA have had no idea that this has been taking place and members who did know about the scheme have been intimidated into silence.

The funneling of LSTA money through Young could open up a major legal can of worms for the organization.

The Louisiana State Constitution and State Police Commission rules clearly prohibits the LSTA and its members from “participating or engaging in political activity” be it for a state political candidate or a national political candidate. Active-duty state troopers aren’t even allowed to make social media posts about politics, much less endorse or fund political campaigns.

The alleged misuse of LSTA money has now been brought before the Louisiana State Police Commission (LSPC) on the grounds that the matter must be investigated under the State Police Commission rules. If the LSPC decides not to investigate the issue, issue could be taken all the way to the Attorney General’s office, which Jeff Landry now holds.

Allegations that the majority of members within the LSTA have been unaware of Young’s funneling money scheme follow a similar story-line that came about during the Edwards-Vitter gubernatorial election.

At the time, the Hayride reported extensively on how members within LSTA said they were never asked or even polled by the organization leaders on endorsing a gubernatorial candidate.

According to one source, members of the board for LSTA were asked to make a “split-second” decision for the entire organization, the result ended in an unprecedented endorsement for Edwards. At the same time, the LSTA through Young was helping to fund Edwards’ campaign.

A request has been placed for the LSTA board to make public the reimbursement receipts that Young was apparently given by the LSTA for his political donations. However, the LSTA board has yet to do so.

Here’s a list of all the contributions made by Young for the LSTA:

Alario PAC, F202 : ANN  – LA-41156 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 OAKDALE BATON ROUGE, LA CC 12/21/2011 $1,000.00
Angelle, Scott A. F102 : 10P  – LA-52247 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 9/30/2015 $2,500.00
Broadwater, Chris F102 : 30P  – LA-50384 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70810 2/26/2015 $1,000.00
Broadwater, Chris F102 : 10P  – LA-25704 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA Contribution. 9/16/2011 $250.00
Clark, Cloyce F102 : 30P  – LA-50765 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 6/26/2015 $500.00
Clark, Cloyce F102 : 30P  – LA-50765 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 3/27/2015 $500.00
Clark, Cloyce F102 : 10G  – LA-54484 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 10/14/2015 $500.00
Dardenne, John L. (Jay) F102 : ANN  – LA-47554 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70810-3107 12/11/2014 $1,000.00
Davis, Paula F102 : 10P  – LA-52147 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 OAKDALE BATON ROUGE, LA 70810 10/1/2015 $250.00
Downer, Hunt F102 : 90P  – LA-4445 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 5/29/2003 $250.00
Edwards, John Bel F102 : 10G  – LA-54393 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA 10/26/2015 $5,000.00
Edwards, John Bel F102 : 30P  – LA-50798 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA 8/10/2015 $2,000.00
Edwards, John Bel F102 : ANN  – LA-48840 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA 70810-3107 7/16/2014 $1,000.00
Edwards, John Bel F102 : 90P  – LA-49688 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA 7/2/2015 $1,000.00
Edwards, John Bel F102 : ANN  – LA-39161 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 7/14/2013 $500.00
Edwards, John Bel F102 : ANN  – LA-48840 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA 10/30/2014 $500.00
Gautreaux, Dudley A. (Butch) F102 : 30P  – LA-20558 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA 7/26/2010 $1,000.00
Gautreaux, Dudley A. (Butch) F102 : SUP  – LA-23092 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA 10/25/2010 $500.00
Gautreaux, Dudley A. (Butch) F102 : 30P  – LA-20558 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA 2/26/2010 $500.00
Gautreaux, Nick F102 : SUP  – LA-11398 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 3/22/2006 $250.00
Guillory, Elbert F102 : 30P  – LA-16780 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 2/11/2009 $500.00
Guillory, Elbert F102 : 10P  – LA-25573 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 9/16/2011 $500.00
Guillory, Elbert F102 : 10G  – LA-27857 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 10/29/2011 $500.00
Guillory, Elbert F102 : ANN  – LA-35616 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 3/9/2012 $500.00
Guillory, Elbert F102 : ANN  – LA-39781 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 3/26/2013 $500.00
Guinn, John F102 : ANN  – LA-20241 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr. Baton Rouge, LA 10/5/2009 $250.00
Heitmeier, David F102 : SUP  – LA-16593 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 2/20/2008 $500.00
Hoffmann, Frank A. F102 : 10P  – LA-25000 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA 9/21/2011 $250.00
Hoffmann, Frank A. F102 : 30P  – LA-50146 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA 4/10/2015 $250.00
House Democratic Campaign Committee of LA, F202 : 30P  – LA-24567 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 6/8/2011 $500.00
House Democratic Campaign Committee of LA, F202 : ANN  – LA-34684 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 5/17/2012 $500.00
House Democratic Campaign Committee of LA, F202 : ANN  – LA-39740 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 5/9/2013 $500.00
House Democratic Campaign Committee of LA, F202 : ANN  – LA-47440 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 8120 Jefferson Hwy Baton Rouge, LA 3/25/2014 $500.00
House Democratic Campaign Committee of LA, F202 : 30P  – LA-51260 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 8120 Jefferson Hwy Baton Rouge, LA 5/31/2015 $500.00
Jackson, Michael L. F102 : ANN  – LA-11231 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 3/22/2006 $250.00
Jindal, Bobby F102 : 90P  – LA-24239 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr. Baton Rouge, LA 4/21/2011 $5,000.00
Jindal, Bobby F102 : 180P  – LA-11626 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr. Baton Rouge, LA 2/26/2007 $2,500.00
Jindal, Bobby F102 : 30P  – LA-12153 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA 8/18/2007 $2,500.00
Jindal, Bobby F102 : ANN  – LA-10037 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 9/30/2003 $250.00
LaBruzzo, John F102 : ANN  – LA-22748 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA 12/3/2010 $500.00
LaFonta, Juan F102 : ANN  – LA-18988 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 10/15/2009 $500.00
Landry, Nancy F102 : ANN  – LA-17887 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 4/2/2009 $250.00
Leadership for Louisiana, F202 : ANN  – LA-34933 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 3/6/2012 $250.00
Leadership for Louisiana, F202 : ANN  – LA-39180 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 2/14/2013 $250.00
Martiny, Daniel R. F102 : 30P  – LA-12096 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 4/19/2007 $500.00
Michot, Mike F102 : ANN  – LA-17198 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 3/31/2008 $500.00
Mills, Fred F102 : 30P  – LA-24540 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 OAKDALE DRIVE BATON ROUGE, LA 4/25/2011 $500.00
Montoucet, Jack F102 : ANN  – LA-24151 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr. Baton Rouge, LA Golf Tournament Fundraiser 11-12-2010 11/11/2010 $500.00
Montoucet, Jack F102 : 10P  – LA-31755 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA Golf Tournament 9/26/2011 $250.00
Montoucet, Jack F102 : ANN  – LA-38808 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA Campaign Contribution 3/21/2013 $250.00
Montoucet, Jack F102 : ANN  – LA-24150 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1545 OAKDALE DR BATON ROUGE, LA 10/4/2009 $250.00
Nevers, Sr., Ben W. F102 : 90P  – LA-24091 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA donation 4/20/2011 $1,000.00
Nevers, Sr., Ben W. F102 : 10P  – LA-31700 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA 9/15/2011 $500.00
Perry, Jonathan F102 : SUP  – LA-41161 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 OAKDALE DRIVE BATON ROUGE, LA 9/22/2011 $500.00
Robideaux, Joel F102 : ANN  – LA-47422 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 10/28/2014 $500.00
Robideaux, Joel F102 : ANN  – LA-47422 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 1/24/2014 $500.00
Robideaux, Joel F102 : ANN  – LA-47422 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 8/11/2014 $250.00
Robideaux, Joel F102 : 10P  – LA-25466 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 9/20/2011 $250.00
Schneider III, M. P. “Pete” F102 : 30P  – LA-50707 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 7/16/2015 $250.00
Schroder, John F102 : ANN  – LA-38807 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA 4/3/2013 $250.00
Smith, Patricia Haynes F102 : SUP  – LA-35365 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA 10/24/2011 $500.00
St. Germain, Karen F102 : ANN  – LA-18774 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA 2/25/2009 $500.00
St. Germain, Karen F102 : 10P  – LA-25903 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA 9/21/2011 $500.00

Follow the Hayride for updates on this ongoing investigation. 

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