News Summary
Jack Montoucet, the ex-secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, has been indicted on federal corruption charges including conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering. Pleading not guilty, Montoucet faces over 20 years in prison if convicted. His indictment follows his resignation amid corruption allegations tied to awarding a state contract for educational courses. Co-conspirators Dusty Guidry and Leonard Franques have pleaded guilty. The ongoing investigation highlights public corruption issues in Louisiana.
Lafayette, Louisiana – Jack Montoucet, the former secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), has been indicted on federal corruption charges. Montoucet, 77, appeared in federal court on June 12, 2025, where he pleaded not guilty to five charges including conspiracy to commit bribery, three counts of wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, Montoucet could face over 20 years in prison and fines reaching up to $1 million.
Montoucet was released on a $15,000 unsecured bond with specific conditions: he must surrender his passport, restrict travel to the United States, and relinquish any owned weapons. His indictment follows his resignation from LDWF on April 14, 2023, amid allegations of involvement in the corruption scheme.
Details of the Allegations
The indictment outlines a conspiracy allegedly involving Montoucet, Dusty Guidry, and Leonard Franques. Guidry was a former appointee to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, while Franques is a Lafayette businessman. The charges suggest that Montoucet and his co-conspirators awarded a state contract to Franques’ company, DGL1, LLC. This contract involved providing online educational courses for sportsmen seeking to resolve citations.
Reports indicate that Montoucet was allegedly set to receive kickbacks totaling $122,508.96, disguised as a “signing bonus” to be paid after his retirement. The conspiracy reportedly spanned from May 2020 to June 2022. The total revenue generated for LDWF from the contract with DGL1 between November 10, 2021, and June 10, 2022, was recorded at $454,174.14.
Co-conspirators’ Cases
Dusty Guidry has already pleaded guilty to charges related to this kickback scheme, as well as another case involving the Lafayette District Attorney’s Office. Likewise, Leonard Franques pleaded guilty in January for his role and had been indicted in December 2023. Additionally, Gary Haynes, an assistant district attorney, has been indicted as part of the broader investigation into these corruption allegations.
Ongoing Investigations
Federal authorities continue to investigate the alleged corruption involving Montoucet and his co-conspirators. The situation underscores the gravity of corruption issues within public offices and the legal consequences that officials may face when involved in illicit activities.
Montoucet is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The legal proceedings will unfold as both sides prepare their cases, with potential implications for public trust and governance in Louisiana.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- The Advocate
- KADN
- KPLC
- Wikipedia: Corruption in the United States
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Corruption
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
