Jack Montoucet, the former Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), has been indicted on federal charges. Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a federal grand jury in Lafayette returned an indictment against Montoucet, charging him with conspiracy to commit bribery and wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The indictment outlines allegations concerning the LDWF, a state agency benefiting from federal programs through grants and contracts. As Secretary, Montoucet had the authority to enter contracts for LDWF. Dusty J. Guidry served as a Commissioner on the LDWF Commission, which oversees wildlife management in Louisiana. The indictment alleges that Guidry acted under Montoucet's direction.
Leonard C. Franques IV is identified as a Louisiana resident who owned DGL1, LLC—a company providing online educational courses registered in May 2020—and LWF, LLC—registered in June 2020. It is alleged that between May 2020 and June 2022, Montoucet conspired with Guidry and Franques to accept kickbacks from Franques in exchange for influencing the awarding of a state contract to DGL1.
Further allegations suggest that Montoucet and Guidry used their positions at LDWF to secure a contract for DGL1 to provide online education courses related to hunting and boating safety as well as resolving citations issued by LDWF. In return for these services, DGL1 retained part of the revenue generated while Franques allegedly provided kickbacks to Montoucet and Guidry.
According to the indictment, from November 10, 2021, until June 10, 2022, LDWF received $454,174.14 from an LWF contract signed by Montoucet; $122,507.96 was reportedly set aside as a kickback for him after his term ended as Secretary of LDWF. The agreement purportedly involved hiring Montoucet post-retirement with kickbacks disguised as a "signing bonus."
If convicted, Montoucet faces up to five years imprisonment on the conspiracy charge and up to twenty years for wire fraud and money laundering counts along with fines potentially reaching $1 million.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation are handling this case's investigation while Assistant United States Attorneys Myers P. Namie, Lauren L. Gardner, LaDonte A. Murphy alongside Trial Attorneys Trevor Wilmot and Steven Loew from the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting it.
An indictment remains an accusation until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
