Liz Murrill Hired Prosecutor for Corruption Cases
Former federal prosecutor John Luke Walker will lead state efforts to investigate ongoing corruption in Baton Rouge.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Corruption
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Attorney General Liz Murrill has appointed former assistant U.S. attorney John Luke Walker to lead state corruption prosecutions in Baton Rouge. Walker replaces Joseph LeBeau, who left the office to join the District Attorney's team in West Baton Rouge.
Why it matters
The transition in leadership comes as the state moves forward with a wide-ranging investigation into public corruption. The appointment aims to maintain momentum in ongoing cases following the departure of the previous lead prosecutor.
A special grand jury has been granted a six-month extension to continue hearing evidence in the probe. Eight people have been indicted to date, including Cleve Dunn Jr., Courtney Scott, and LaMont Cole.
The players
Liz Murrill
She serves as the Attorney General of Louisiana and is responsible for managing the state's legal and prosecutorial efforts.
John Luke Walker
He is a former assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana who recently joined the state Attorney General's office.
Joseph LeBeau
He is a former lead prosecutor for the Attorney General's office who transitioned to the District Attorney's team in West Baton Rouge.
LaMont Cole
He is a former Metro Council member who was indicted in August 2026 on bribery and money laundering charges.
The details
John Luke Walker brings 36 years of experience from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana to his new role. The investigation, which has already led to indictments against eight individuals, remains active as the special grand jury gathers further testimony.
Timeline
John Luke Walker retired from the U.S. Attorney's Office in January 2026.
Cleve Dunn Jr. was indicted in January 2026.
Courtney Scott was indicted in February 2026.
LaMont Cole was indicted in August 2026.
Legal Context
The appointment of the new lead prosecutor marks a continuation of the state's aggressive strategy in the ongoing corruption investigation involving former Metro Council member LaMont Cole. This shift follows a pattern of heightened scrutiny on local public officials in Louisiana.
Residents of Baton Rouge may see increased transparency as the special grand jury continues its work with a six-month extension. The appointment signals that the state intends to maintain its focus on investigating alleged bribery and misuse of public office.
The takeaway
The hiring of a veteran federal prosecutor signals a serious commitment to closing out complex public corruption cases. The ongoing work of the special grand jury suggests that additional findings regarding local government accountability may be forthcoming.
Further reading
For more information on ongoing legal proceedings, visit the Corruption news section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Advocate.
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