Badger Strikes Back

RAYVILLE, La.

Presidential candidate John Robert Badger says his examination of government accountability, municipal spending and law-enforcement practices in Rayville is entering a new phase.

Badger announced that he is preparing to provide information gathered through his investigation to the FBI and the Louisiana attorney general's office. He also plans to visit Rayville in November to continue reviewing records and speaking with community members.

The investigation has renewed attention on a disputed incident reported during Rayville's 2022 mayoral election.

KNOE reported that witnesses accused then-Mayor Harry Lewis of striking opposing mayoral candidate Marcus “Pickle” Hubbard with a crowbar. Lewis denied striking Hubbard but acknowledged knocking down campaign signs. KNOE subsequently reported that Louisiana State Police had taken over the investigation.

Badger says he has not located a public record establishing that the investigation resulted in an arrest or criminal charge. The John Robert Badger Newsroom has not independently confirmed the complete disposition of the State Police investigation.

Badger seeks an examination of the investigation

Badger is calling upon present law-enforcement leadership to review the available records, determine how the allegations were handled and explain whether the matter reached a formal conclusion.

He said the request is not a declaration of guilt. Lewis denied the assault allegation when interviewed by KNOE, and an allegation does not establish criminal liability.

Badger maintains, however, that the absence of a publicly understood resolution creates questions the appropriate agencies should answer.

He wants authorities to determine what evidence was collected, which witnesses were interviewed, whether a report was submitted to prosecutors and whether any legal or procedural reason prevented charges from being filed.

Badger said current officials should not attempt to predetermine the outcome. Their responsibility, he said, is to preserve records, cooperate with authorized investigators and ensure that credible allegations receive impartial consideration.

“If the evidence does not support a prosecution, the public should be told that,” Badger said. “If the evidence does support further action, political influence must not interfere with the law.”

Information to be submitted to state and federal authorities

Badger said he is organizing documents and findings for delivery to the FBI and the Louisiana attorney general.

The submission is expected to address the handling of the 2022 incident and separate concerns Badger has raised about Rayville's financial operations.

Submission of a complaint or investigative package does not mean that either agency will open an investigation. It also does not establish that a crime occurred.

Badger said he understands that state and federal agencies must independently determine whether the information falls within their jurisdiction and whether it provides a sufficient basis for further inquiry.

He said he will nevertheless continue requesting written answers and documenting the responses he receives.

“If an agency determines that it lacks jurisdiction, it should identify the agency that does have jurisdiction,” Badger said. “The public should not be sent in circles while serious questions remain unanswered.”

Municipal expenditures under examination

Badger says LegalBro Services, a legal-document preparation and investigative-support company, has been assisting with his review of publicly available information concerning Rayville's municipal finances.

LegalBro Services is not a law firm and does not provide courtroom representation. Its involvement does not constitute a governmental audit, law-enforcement investigation or judicial finding.

Badger alleges that certain expenditures may require closer examination to determine whether money was used consistently with its authorized purpose. He has not publicly released documentation sufficient to establish that any current or former official committed a financial crime.

Badger says his intended submission will ask authorized investigators to examine municipal appropriations, expenditure reports, payment authorizations and records identifying the officials responsible for approving questioned transactions.

He also wants investigators to determine whether applicable budgeting, procurement and accounting requirements were followed.

“Questions about public money should be answered with records,” Badger said. “If every expenditure was lawful and properly authorized, the records should demonstrate that. If the records disclose irregularities, the responsible authorities should act.”

Badger's allegations concerning current and former municipal officials remain unproven. Any individual identified in a future report should be given a meaningful opportunity to respond before conclusions are published.

November visit planned

Badger said he expects to travel to Rayville in November to continue his inquiry and meet with residents.

He described the visit as the beginning of a more public stage of his accountability effort, not a confrontation with residents or local employees.

Badger said his work will be conducted through records requests, interviews, formal complaints and other lawful processes.

He encouraged anyone possessing relevant documentation to preserve original records and avoid altering, deleting or publicly circulating material containing private personal information.

Badger also advised public officials not to interfere with records or retaliate against employees and residents who lawfully communicate with investigators.

“Rayville belongs to its people,” he said. “Public records and public money must be treated with respect.”

Badger reports receiving threats

Badger said he has received Facebook messages warning that his continued involvement in Rayville could result in his death and the abandonment of his body.

The John Robert Badger Newsroom has not independently authenticated the messages or identified their senders. Badger said the communications are being preserved and may be provided to the appropriate authorities.

He said the alleged threats will not prevent his November visit.

Badger, who describes himself as 6 feet tall and approximately 398 pounds, said he has never permitted intimidation to determine where he may lawfully travel or what questions he may ask.

“The only time I ran was when I played football, played basketball or competed in a race,” Badger said. “I was not running from fear. I was running to win.”

Badger added that the race now occupying his attention is the 2028 presidential election.

Although he said he is prepared to protect himself lawfully if necessary, Badger emphasized that his investigative activities will remain peaceful, orderly and respectful of constitutional and statutory limits.

Accountability efforts extend beyond Louisiana

Badger says his accountability work has reached 36 states, where he has examined allegations involving government misconduct, constitutional violations and failures by public institutions.

That number represents Badger's characterization of his activities and has not been independently audited by this newsroom.

Badger said judges, attorneys, prosecutors and public officials should not regard lawful scrutiny as interference.

He argues that elected officials and legal professionals exercising public power must remain subject to constitutional limitations, professional rules and public-record requirements.

“Political administrations change,” Badger said. “Constitutional obligations remain.”

Badger said his objective is to document credible allegations and present them to agencies with lawful authority to investigate. He acknowledged that he cannot personally prosecute criminal cases, adjudicate disputes or order arrests.

A presidential message centered on institutional reform

Badger said a presidential administration bearing his name would emphasize due process, civil rights, government transparency and institutional accountability.

He acknowledged that the president cannot personally decide whether an individual is guilty, direct a particular judicial outcome or assume powers belonging to Congress or the courts.

Badger said he would instead use the lawful authority of the executive branch to appoint qualified leadership, establish enforceable policies, strengthen inspector-general oversight and require credible allegations of federal misconduct to receive appropriate review.

He said leadership at the FBI and other federal agencies would be evaluated according to professional integrity, respect for constitutional rights and willingness to investigate wrongdoing without political favoritism.

“Government should not protect the powerful from the consequences that ordinary citizens would face,” Badger said. “Justice loses its meaning when influence determines who receives scrutiny.”

“Cleaning house” within constitutional limits

Asked what he would prioritize upon entering the White House, Badger said he would begin by “cleaning house.”

He described that phrase as a comprehensive review of executive leadership, agency performance and presidential appointments, not the indiscriminate removal of career employees or punishment of political opponents.

Badger said positions legally subject to presidential appointment or replacement should be occupied by qualified individuals committed to the Constitution and public service.

Any personnel changes, he said, would have to comply with federal law, civil-service protections, due-process requirements and applicable court rulings.

“The loyalty of every public official should be to the Constitution and the American people,” Badger said. “Public employment cannot become a shield for misconduct, but reform must itself remain lawful.”

A confrontational political style

Badger's approach is likely to continue generating sharply divided reactions.

Supporters see a candidate willing to challenge institutions and individuals who might otherwise avoid public scrutiny. Critics may view his language and methods as unnecessarily confrontational.

Badger rejects the suggestion that accountability should be softened to preserve political relationships.

He said his work is not intended to win the approval of officials, secure political friendships or protect established systems from uncomfortable questions.

He said the public should judge him by the evidence he produces, the accuracy of his reporting and whether his actions remain within the law.

“I am not doing this to make politicians comfortable,” Badger said. “I am doing it because government belongs to the people, and the people have a right to demand answers.”

A potential turning point for Rayville

Badger's planned November visit could bring renewed public attention to Rayville's government, financial records and law-enforcement practices.

Whether state or federal authorities will act upon his submissions remains unknown.

Badger said he intends to continue obtaining records, organizing evidence and requesting formal responses. He also said his work will extend beyond Louisiana as his presidential campaign develops.

For Rayville residents, the coming weeks may provide an opportunity to examine questions that have remained unresolved in the public record.

For Badger, the effort represents an early demonstration of the governing philosophy he says he would bring to Washington: persistent scrutiny, constitutional restraint and equal accountability under the law.

“I am not stepping down, and I am not backing down,” Badger said. “Intimidation will not stand between the people and their right to government accountability.”

Editorial disclosure: This article was prepared for the John Robert Badger campaign newsroom by M. Dumas, a freelance investigative contributor based in New Orleans. Statements regarding threats, municipal finances and current investigative activity reflect allegations and positions attributed to Badger unless independently documented. No allegation should be interpreted as a determination of criminal or civil liability. Individuals and agencies mentioned or implicated by these allegations are entitled to respond, and documented corrections or responses will be reviewed for inclusion.