NEW ORLEANS (AP) — State officials will try to recoup more than $2.3 million from 21 community and charitable organizations found to be in violation of Louisiana’s financial reporting laws.

The move is part of a push initiated by state Treasurer John Kennedy in late July, when he identified 34 non-governmental organizations that received $4.2 million from state coffers in 2007 and 2008, but didn’t provide proper accounting for how that money was used.

Under reporting rules enacted after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, any NGO that receives money from the state general fund is required to provide quarterly reports on how it used that money.

Officials say 21 groups can be referred to the state attorney general’s office for collections.

(mgnonline.com)