A Louisiana judge has ordered the suspension of all board member access to the financial accounts of the Natchitoches Community Improvement Foundation following allegations of unauthorized transactions and missing documentation.
Judge Jimmie C. Peters of the 10th Judicial District Court signed the order Oct. 13, granting sole access to court-appointed special master Christopher M. Sylvia. The ruling comes in an ongoing lawsuit filed by Citizens of Democratic Action Inc. and Helen Obioha against the foundation.
According to court documents filed by Sylvia, a CPA hired by the foundation discovered debit card transactions and cash withdrawals from an NCIF checking account that lacked supporting records or documentation. Mark Thomas, the accountant, had been retained to analyze financial records and prepare tax returns for the period from January 2019 to the present.
The motion states that despite requests for documentation to explain the purchases and withdrawals, no records were provided to account for the transactions.
Under the new order, no board member of the Natchitoches Community Improvement Foundation may access any bank account, investment account or funds belonging to the organization. Only Sylvia has been authorized to access accounts and financial records.
The court also ordered that any investment brokers, financial institutions, banks or other entities holding NCIF funds may only release property to third parties as instructed by Sylvia. He now has signing authority on behalf of the foundation.
Sylvia’s motion noted that he had previously controlled all NCIF funds but had turned over control to the newly elected board. The special master was appointed by the court as part of the litigation between the community organization and the foundation.
The case is docketed as number 94091B in Natchitoches Parish. Attorneys Connor L. Dillon, Jeffery H. Thomas and Alan Pesnell are copied on the order.
A letter dated Sept. 2 from Peters to the Natchitoches Parish clerk of court indicates the executed order was sent electronically to avoid the need for formal service, though counsel were notified.
The foundation could not immediately be reached for comment.
BOARD MEMBERS
According to a May 2025 order filed in the case, the following individuals were identified as board members or representatives of the Natchitoches Community Improvement Foundation:
Earnestine Armstrong
Takesha Barnum
Harold Bayonne Sr.
Marvin Blake Jr.
Linda Franklin
Brenda Milner
Helen Obioba
Tan’Keia Palmer
Rene Porter
Deborah Roque
Ernest Sawyer
Kevin Stafford
Jerry Walters
Yvette Williams
Davin White
The court order suspending board access to financial accounts applies to all board members of the organization.
See ALL DOCUMENTS and RELATED BACKGROUND below: