BATON ROUGE — The East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Thursday to launch an independent audit into an alleged misappropriation of funds involving its non-profit affiliate, Partners Southeast.

The board retained certified public accounting and consulting firm Luther Speight & Company LLC to investigate the allegations, which center on a Partners Southeast board member.

In connection with the investigation, Justin Gaudet has resigned from his role as president of the Partners Southeast board of directors.

Leadership changes have also taken effect at the housing authority while the inquiry is underway. The EBRPHA board previously placed CEO J. Wesley Daniels Jr.—who also serves as CEO of Partners Southeast—and Chief Operating Officer April Downs on immediate paid administrative leave pending the audit's findings.

Chief Housing Officer Doris Mejia, an 18-year veteran of the agency, has been appointed acting CEO.

EBRPHA Board Chairman Dianna Payton commended the board's rapid response to the allegations.

“We reacted the minute we found out about the alleged misappropriation of funds,” Payton said. “Our legal and financial advisors acted swiftly and decisively and are reporting to all proper agencies.”