Chad Hughes, a Baton Rouge developer and restaurateur, was arrested Monday on counts of theft and issuing bad checks for his alleged role in the fraudulent purchase of a trailer.
Hughes, who co-owns Ivar's Sports Bar and Grill bar and was the owner of the recently-closed Bengal Taproom and Happy's establishments, allegedly failed to pay the $20,000 price for a trailer and dumpsters and later couldn't be reached for months by the seller.
Baton Rouge police were first contacted on Aug. 4, by a man who said he had listed his trailer for sale on Facebook Marketplace and was contacted by Hughes regarding the purchase.
The two allegedly agreed on a price of $20,000 for the trailer and surrounding dumpsters and met on June 8 at the Courtyard Marriott on Acadian Thruway to complete the sale.
Hughes allegedly issued a check for $20,000 to the other man, who then deposited it into his bank account, according to an affidavit for Hughes' arrest.
However, the seller later told police that the check from Hughes bounced due to insufficient funds, according to arrest documents.
The seller contacted Hughes, who acknowledged the issue with the check and allegedly stated that he would issue a new check in a few days, police said.
Since that conversation, the seller has made multiple attempts to contact Hughes through phone calls and text, but Hughes reportedly cut off communication, according to police.
Police records say Hughes has made no effort to provide valid payment or to return ownership of the trailer.
The owner of several popular Baton Rouge restaurants and bars has been sued by a commercial …
Hughes could not be reached by phone Tuesday afternoon.
Hughes was sued in over allegations of not paying loans to Baton Rouge real estate developer Hank Saurage, who sued for ownership of Boudreaux & Thibodeaux’s as well as the now-closed City Bar and Bengal Taproom.
In 2023, Hughes moved Happy's Irish Pub in downtown Baton Rouge to a new location after, according to court filings, the business's 3rd Street landlord filed a petition to evict him for bounced rent checks.
