Louisiana Scrutinized Over State Apartment Usage
A state audit questioned the legitimacy of political figures using a government-owned apartment in New Orleans.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Apartments
Live Poll
Should government officials be allowed to use state-owned apartments for their own professional business?
Between March 2024 and March 2026, over 60 visits were recorded at a state-owned apartment located in the Lower Pontalba Building. An audit released on September 2, 2026, sparked concerns regarding the legality of these stays.
Why it matters
The audit suggests that the Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism may have violated state law by granting non-compliant access to the property. While the department claims the apartment supports museum-related events, the auditor asserts stays must directly benefit Louisiana State Museums.
Guest logs documented 60 stays at the Lower Pontalba Building apartment over a two-year period ending in March 2026. The department redacted the names of numerous individuals from the report released on September 2, 2026.
The players
Troy Carter
Troy Carter is a U.S. Representative who used the state-owned apartment for professional development sessions.
Monique Boulet
Monique Boulet is the Mayor of Lafayette who utilized the state apartment while attending local conferences.
Lee Mallett
Lee Mallett serves as the chair of the LSU Board of Supervisors and accessed the apartment for university business.
Ben Gilmore
Ben Gilmore is a former Arkansas state senator who occupied the state-owned facility for three nights in 2024.
The details
The state-owned residence on Jackson Square was utilized by various public officials, including U.S. Representative Troy Carter and Lafayette Mayor Monique Boulet. The Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, which managed access to the unit, redacted guest names from the audit records before their public release.
Timeline
The state auditor began flagging non-compliant stays in 2020.
Guest logs for the apartment began in March 2024.
Former Arkansas state senator Ben Gilmore stayed in the apartment for three nights in May 2024.
The most recent audit was released on September 2, 2026.
The recorded apartment visits concluded in March 2026.
Culture Shift
This audit reflects a broader trend of increased scrutiny regarding the intersection of personal convenience for politicians and public asset management. It challenges the traditional culture of utilizing state-owned historical properties for professional or networking activities.
Taxpayers in the area are directly impacted by the potential misuse of state assets maintained by the Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism. The findings may lead to stricter policies governing access to historical state-owned buildings, potentially ending private-use privileges.
The takeaway
The audit highlights the critical importance of maintaining clear guidelines for the use of government property to ensure public trust. Future administrators must balance the historical utility of state buildings with stringent compliance regarding the benefit of the state's museums.
Further reading
For more on state-regulated residential property trends, visit Apartments.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NOLA.
Live Poll
Should government officials be allowed to use state-owned apartments for their own professional business?
