Louisiana Wildlife Official Implicated in Bribery Scheme

Investigative reporters with the Times-Picayune and The Advocate newspapers have apparently uncovered a bribery scheme that implicates a high ranking official with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. According to reports in those newspapers the bribery scheme is connected to an ongoing investigation into improprieties at the Lafayette District Attorney's office.

The published reports suggest that Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet was involved in a kickback scheme if he would "steer" contracts with LDWF to a private company that handled hunting and boating licenses and that offered pre-trial diversions for those who committed minor violations that were overseen by LDWF.

The story in the Advocate Newspaper went on to say that the company would make payments to the LDWF official who signed off on the contracts as well as Dusty Guidry. Guidry recently pled guilty to payoffs in connection with his work with the District Attorney's Office in Lafayette.

The newspaper reports later revealed that the LDWF official who was allegedly inline to receive kickbacks along with Guidry was Jack Montoucet. According to the story in the Advocate Montoucet was reported to be in line to receive a monetary kickback and an all-terrain vehicle upon his retirement. The newspaper article suggested the ATV had a value of $14,000.

It was also alleged in the published reports that Dusty Guidry received some $89,000 for his part in the scheme.

It is important to note that Secretary Montoucet has not been charged with any crimes as of now. Montoucet receives annual compensation in his role as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife of $125,000. He was appointed to the position in 2017 by Governor John Bel Edwards.