Former Capital Area Transit System Chief Administrative Officer Pearlina Thomas and contractor Jarian “Jay” Colar pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges stemming from the attorney general’s sweeping investigation into alleged corruption in Baton Rouge government.
A special grand jury indicted Thomas and Colar last month, each on multiple felony charges. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office says Thomas fraudulently awarded a $50,000 transit system contract to Colar’s company Supreme Solutions LLC with the help of sitting Baton Rouge Metro Council member Cleve Dunn Jr.
Checks were then cut to Dunn’s company Core Group LLC, investigators say…