In the culmination of what has been a tenuous business dealing with local health insurer Peoples Health and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, the former has officially severed ties with the music organization today (August 22). For more than two years, Peoples Health’s name was emblazoned on the Central City building housing the Jazz Market, but today’s news signifies the insurer is walking away from its naming-rights agreement. As reported by WWL-TV, Peoples Health has paid over $600,000 in naming rights since 2015 and is effectively canceling the standing $1.5 million contract with the Orchestra.

WWL’s David Hammer describes this move as “yet another blow for the beleaguered Jazz Orchestra” as fallout from the exposure of an organization-wide scandal in 2015 continues to plague the organization. Orchestra founder Irvin Mayfield was found to have been funneling public-library donations into the Jazz Orchestra, grossly misusing money to boost his salary and that of his longtime business partner, Ronald Markham. As the leader of NOLA’s Public Library Foundation from 2011-2013, Markham reportedly colluded with Mayfield to the tune of $1 million, money intended to help build the $10 million Jazz Market concert venue and bar on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard.

It seems the money the Orchestra was going to earn under the naming-rights agreement with Peoples Health could have kept them afloat. However, according to the most recent public data available, the organization reportedly has only $21,000 in funds to its name. As of press time, Peoples Health has yet to make a public statement about their decision to end the naming-rights agreement.