>>>>I read an article the other day that made reference to federal funds for levee maintenance being spent to build a casino and a private marina. Anyone have any solid info on that and a source? Thanks.
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=5th&navby=case&no=0130728cv0
Excerpt:
With regard to the more general question of the levee district's budget, the Orleans Levee District receives very little funding from the state. The levee district generates its own revenues from the Lakefront airport, a casino, leases of property, fees from boatslips and marinas, and taxes. The district also receives income from various investment accounts currently worth $57 million. The levee board does not dispute these facts. At oral argument, counsel for the levee board pointed out that the district receives some state funds, even though they are usually in the form of capital outlays dedicated to specific projects. Because the state funds are already earmarked for other purposes, the state monies cannot be used to pay a judgment against the levee district. See Hudson, 174 F.3d at 688-89.
Interesting. Very interesting.