Baton Rouge couple pleads not guilty to charges tied to CATS contact scheme

A Baton Rouge couple, Erica and Terral Jackson, pleaded not guilty to theft and conspiracy charges tied to a CATS contract scheme involving over $49,000. The charges stem from contracts awarded to their company, Broad Innovation Marketing Firm LLC, which allegedly used funds for a millage campaign instead of the stated contactless payment project. Additional individuals and entities, including CATS Chief Administrative Officer Pearlina Thomas, are implicated in the investigation.