N.O. Tolls Used To Pay Leeville Bridge Bill

Louisiana Transportation Secretary Sherri LeBas (luh-BAH) says toll revenue from the Crescent City Connection was improperly used to pay nearly $60,000 in bills for the toll bridge in Leeville.

LeBas says the New Orleans bridge's account will be repaid from the state transportation trust fund.

The Times-Picayune reports that she wrote state legislative auditor Daryl Purpera about payments to the law firm of Kenneth Pickering, which represents the New Orleans bridge. She says his firm has been paid $59,600 since 2004 for work on the Leeville bridge.

An audit released in September found other instances in which revenue from the New Orleans bridge were used for the Leeville bridge in apparent violation of state law.