BY DEANNA B. NARVESON | Staff writer How do you seize a high rise office building? One American Place, the second tallest office building in downtown Baton Rouge (you'll recognize it) is on track to be seized by the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office after a lawsuit was filed claiming the owners defaulted on the mortgage. Apparently they owners are $24.2 million in principal, interest, late charges and other fees in the hole. Business Editor Timothy Boone breaks down what's happening here. Off the hook: Louisiana has dropped all gambling-related charges against former LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte after an investigation determined his wagers did not cause anyone financial harm and he completed multiple mitigatory actions, including a gambling self-ban agreement. Boutte, a native of New Iberia, signed as a five-star recruit and burst onto the scene as a freshman. He allegedly placed more than 9,000 bets. Read the full story. Baton Rouge schools: In a remarkable 17-minute speech late last week, East Baton Rouge Parish School Board President Carla Powell-Lewis accused four of her colleagues of acceding to the demands of a financially influential interest group after they again rejected interim Superintendent Adam Smith’s bid to win the job permanently. Read more. |