An independent external investigation claims Entergy New Orleans knew it was paying actors to show up at public meetings in support of a new power station.Entergy officials are pushing back on the allegations in the report, which details that the public utilities company knew it was paying for actors and, in fact, sought out more.The New Orleans City Council initiated the investigation to determine whether Entergy, or some other entity, paid actors to attend and/or speak at public meetings in support of company's proposed power station in New Orleans East.The investigation claims numerous paid actors attended two public meetings, one on Oct. 16, 2017, and the other on Feb. 21, 2018.Representatives for Entergy New Orleans claimed earlier this year that a subcontractor hired the actors without their knowledge. However, an excerpt from the report, shown below, details the conversation between an Entergy official and that subcontractor, the Hawthorne Group. The report shows that in September 2017, the contractor, known as the Hawthorne Group, told Entergy it didn't recommend hiring supporters to build crowds at public meetings, saying questions will be asked including, "Who are these people and why did they turn out?"The Hawthorne group still provided pricing for such activities, however, noting for example, that hiring 10 people to sign in and speak would cost $6,500. The next day, Entergy agreed and then eventually sought out even more "supporters."A later conversation in the report between former Entergy New Orleans CEO Charles Rice and another executive showed Rice saying, "If Hawthorne can get more people, I will pay."The deal reached between Entergy and the Hawthorne Group shows Entergy spent $29,000 on 75 attendees and 10 speakers, all wearing T-shirts supporting the power plant.The New Orleans City Council voted in March to approve the plant. It's unclear how this report could impact that vote. However, this report means Council President Jason Williams can now call a special council meeting at 1 p.m. Wednesday to formally receive the report and hear testimony from the investigators.A spokesperson for Entergy said in a statement that the utilities company provided evidence that confirmed it did not pay for actors."We received a copy of the report. Upon initial review, we take exception to certain characterizations and omission of key facts from the report, including specific evidence Entergy provided that confirms it did not pay, nor did it authorize any other person or entity to pay, individuals to attend or speak at Council meetings."Click here for the full report. All supporting documents are available on the council's Utilities Committee page.Keep up with local news, weather and current events with the WDSU app here. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news right in your inbox. Click here to sign up!
NEW ORLEANS — An independent external investigation claims Entergy New Orleans knew it was paying actors to show up at public meetings in support of a new power station.
Entergy officials are pushing back on the allegations in the report, which details that the public utilities company knew it was paying for actors and, in fact, sought out more.
The New Orleans City Council initiated the investigation to determine whether Entergy, or some other entity, paid actors to attend and/or speak at public meetings in support of company's proposed power station in New Orleans East.
The investigation claims numerous paid actors attended two public meetings, one on Oct. 16, 2017, and the other on Feb. 21, 2018.
Representatives for Entergy New Orleans claimed earlier this year that a subcontractor hired the actors without their knowledge. However, an excerpt from the report, shown below, details the conversation between an Entergy official and that subcontractor, the Hawthorne Group.
Portion of external investigation into Entergy’s paid actor scandal.
The report shows that in September 2017, the contractor, known as the Hawthorne Group, told Entergy it didn't recommend hiring supporters to build crowds at public meetings, saying questions will be asked including, "Who are these people and why did they turn out?"
The Hawthorne group still provided pricing for such activities, however, noting for example, that hiring 10 people to sign in and speak would cost $6,500. The next day, Entergy agreed and then eventually sought out even more "supporters."
"This is war" says former Entergy New Orleans CEO Charles Rice in a conversation with another executive, as revealed in the new independent investigation in the paid actors scandal.
A later conversation in the report between former Entergy New Orleans CEO Charles Rice and another executive showed Rice saying, "If Hawthorne can get more people, I will pay."
The deal reached between Entergy and the Hawthorne Group shows Entergy spent $29,000 on 75 attendees and 10 speakers, all wearing T-shirts supporting the power plant.
Conversation between Entergy executives released in independent investigation into paid actors scandal.
The New Orleans City Council voted in March to approve the plant. It's unclear how this report could impact that vote. However, this report means Council President Jason Williams can now call a special council meeting at 1 p.m. Wednesday to formally receive the report and hear testimony from the investigators.
A spokesperson for Entergy said in a statement that the utilities company provided evidence that confirmed it did not pay for actors.
"We received a copy of the report. Upon initial review, we take exception to certain characterizations and omission of key facts from the report, including specific evidence Entergy provided that confirms it did not pay, nor did it authorize any other person or entity to pay, individuals to attend or speak at Council meetings."
Click here for the full report. All supporting documents are available on the council's Utilities Committee page.
Keep up with local news, weather and current events with the WDSU app here. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news right in your inbox. Click here to sign up!
