LSU Booster Sentenced to Prison for Embezzlement
A man who plead guilty to embezzling more than a half million dollars from the Our Lady of the Lake Hospital foundation and giving some of the money to parents of former LSU players has been sentenced to 33 months in a federal prison.
John Paul Funes, the former CEO and President of the foundation, received the sentence in a U. S. District Court after pleading guilty to federal wire fraud and money laundering back on June 4.
The alleged fraud was discovered during an internal audit in August of 2018. He was fired in November of that year.
It was alleged that Funes authorized payments of $180,000 to an individual sources say was the father of former LSU offensive lineman Vadal Alexander, who was a four year starter at LSU from 2012-2015. The Baton Rouge Business Report reported in June that Funes sent the money to James Alexander when his son was still playing for the Tigers, which might be a violation of NCAA rules regarding impermissible benefits.
In addition, prosecutors say seven different checks totaling $110,000 were issued to two individuals, identified as the mother and sister for former LSU Quarterback Rohan Davey, who was LSU's quarterback from 1998-2001. The payments were allegedly made after he left LSU.