After the City of Harahan paid an unlicensed contractor over $800,000 for several projects without issuing any formal bids, a state regulatory agency is now investigating the contractor and a city audit has questioned spending practices.

The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors issued Paul Galaforo of Galaforo Construction LLC a notice of potential violation for acting as a contractor without a valid license while performing work for the Harahan Park of Heroes , according to Sean Beavers, deputy executive director of enforcement to the board.

More potential violations could be issued before the hearing, Beavers said, which is set for Jan. 15 in Baton Rouge.

"Reviewing all those (construction) invoices, the dollar amounts (are) contrary to state licensing law and would appea

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