Lauren Jewett Corruption Perception Score: F (56%)
This focus is on the alleged corruption surrounding candidate for U.S. House Dist.1, Lauren Jewett. She scored an “F (59%)” Corruption Perception Score from Motion to Quash (M2Q). This index assesses public sector corruption and campaign finance abuse. Additionally, M2Q criticizes KIPP in New Orleans, which operates within a controversial charter system. M2Q labels it a programmatic failure due to allegations of special education law violations. Other issues include, “abhorrent conditions,” improper disciplinary practices, high teacher turnover, and low college persistence rates.
What is the M2Q Corruption Score? The Motion to Quash (M2Q) Corruption Score is an index of multiple sources. These sources are merged to produce an overall score.*
| Democrat candidates U.S. Senate, U.S. House 2026 | Corruption Score is based on three data sources in row 2. 5 total points possible for each one in Row 3. Scores are calculated in columns C/D | ||||
| Data Source | Money Issued | Money Received | Disclosures or conflicts | ||
| 5 total points possible for each one | 5 | 5 | 5 | ||
| Total (cumulative): | 15 | ||||
| Candidate Average | B | 85% | 5.0 | 3.8 | 4.0 |
| Nick Albares | A | 100% | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Gary Crockett | A | 100% | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Jamie Davis | F | 56% | 5 | 1.4 | 2 |
| Lauren Jewett | F | 56% | 5 | 1.4 | 2 |
| Jim Long | A | 100% | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Troy Carter Sr | F | 53% | 5 | 0 | 3 |
| Renada Collins | A | 97% | 4.8 | 5 | 4.8 |
| John Day | B | 80% | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Tia LeBrun | A | 100% | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Caleb Walker | A | 93% | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Conrad Cable | A | 100% | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Matt Gromlich | A | 100% | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Jessee Fleenor | A | 100% | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Larry Foy | A | 100% | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Lindsay Garcia | A | 100% | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Dan McKay | A | 100% | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Tania Nyman | A | 100% | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Cleo Fields | F | 33% | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Source data
The goal is to capture expert assessments of various public sector corruption practices. This includes bribery and misuse of public funds. It also involves abuse of public office for personal gain.
The M2Q corruption perception score is a powerful representation of the stand against corruption in Louisiana. It serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and honesty in our political system. The scorecards offer precise and reliable judgment of campaign finance abuse. They give sound judgment particularly for those interested in elections and the stand against corruption.
**M2Q obtained campaign finance reports from the Louisiana Ethics Board website. Federal Award profiles were found at: https://www.usaspending.gov/recipient
Lauren Jewett Corruption Perception Score: F (56%)
Ethics Disclosures– Issues found
Campaign Finance– Issues found.
Pandemic Oversight
The U.S. Government is quietly but actively pursuing a campaign against Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) recipients believed to have committed fraud. The government is expected to continue to pursue civil False Claims Act cases.
Essentially, these taxpayer backed funds were meant for struggling businesses for disaster assistance. So, issuing generous campaign contributions after receiving PPP loans raises concerns about the legitimacy of the need for assistance.
Receiving donations is not enough to prompt an investigation. But, generous political contributions from PPP disaster recovery recipients offer enough evidence to lead to criminal prosecution.
The investigation into loan fraud among disaster recovery recipients and Louisiana politicians highlights concerns about the legitimacy of taxpayer-funded assistance. Over 100 businesses donated politically after receiving nearly $200 million in federal funds. Calls for accountability include repayments from recipients who misused funds and government scrutiny of fraudulent PPP loans persists.
False Claims Act
In 2020, Lindsey Cheek received a taxpayer backed PPP loan of 73,035. Later, Cheek issued $500 to help finance Lauren Jewett’s campaign.This raises concerns about the legitimacy of the need for disaster assistance. These funds were meant for struggling small businesses, not for political contributions.
| Jewett, Lauren | LINDSEY CHEEK | 8/25/2023 | $500.00 |
David Levy admitted, “My business got, I think $350k in PPP loans, and I donated more to the Jewett campaign.” M2Q found that PETROTECHNOLOGIES, INC received $186,035 including interest in forgivable loans in the first round in 2020. In the second round in 2021, PETROTECHNOLOGIES, INC received $172,115. That is a significant amount of money. Fraud schemes like these are costliest for taxpayers.
MUR 7062
Numero, Inc– The Federal Election Commission (FEC) conducted a matter (MUR 7062) involving Numero, Inc., which was finalized around 2020 about potential campaign finance issues.
Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI)
KIPP- A Programmatic Failure and “abhorrent conditions”
KIPP in New Orleans faces criticism as a programmatic failure, contributing to a broader, unstable, and inequitable charter system. In particular, allegations include violating special education laws, improper student disciplinary practices, and low college persistence rates. Further, the network has struggled with high teacher turnover, inadequate support for vulnerable students.
Recently, KIPP neglected to offer required services for an impaired student, which ultimately led to legal disputes with the district. It also caused operational disputes. Additionally, KIPP suspended or expelled students without proper due process, in violation of state laws.
Despite a, “college for all” mission, KIPP New Orleans has struggled with college persistence rates, notes NPR.
Further, KIPP is the largest charter operator in an “all-charter” system. Yet, it operates within a framework criticized for causing high school turnover. This framework also disrupts education for students, say The Progressive and Diane Ravitch’s blog.
Finally, the network has faced criticism for high turnover rates, which impacts the consistency of the educational program, notes EXPOSEDbyCMD.
Method
How do we measure corruption scores?
Since 2019, Motion to Quash has published this index before elections. Basically, it ranks candidates on a scale from 100 (very clean) to 0 (highly corrupt). For consistency, it measures the total scores based on three principles:
- Campaign contributions issued (5 points)
- Campaign contributions received (5 points)
- Disclosures/conflicts of interest (5 points)
Only when candidates scored 15 for the whole package did they score 100 percent.
Campaigns are dynamic, so we welcome your feedback. If you see a candidate’s position has changed, send us an email to info@motiontoquash.org with the new information, or use the contact form below.
Recognized by the NWC, Tracie Burke is author of Motion to Quash. M2Q supports the Whistleblower Protection Act. If you would like to support journalism in the public interest, click here to donate. Motion to Quash ISSN 2644-1594 is the copyrighted property of Motion to Quash LLC .
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