Top Fund-raiser Probed Possible Improper Edwards Donations

(Information from: The Advocate, http://theadvocate.com)

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A top fund-raiser for Gov. John Bel Edwards was hired this year by a commission looking into whether state troopers, and members of the commission itself, made improper donations to Edwards' 2015 campaign.

The Advocate reports that attorney Taylor Townsend of Natchitoches has a $75,000 contract with the State Police Commission, which hears trooper complaints and evaluates allegations of trooper misconduct.

Edwards' executive counsel, Matthew Block, said Edwards didn't know the commission hired Townsend until after it happened.

Commission executive director, Cathy Derbonne, said Townsend was contracted because of his reputation. She said the hiring was not initiated by Edwards' office.

Three commissioners stepped down after Townsend found they made unlawful contributions.

In another investigation, Townsend found no wrongdoing in donations to candidates by the Louisiana State Troopers Association.

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