Jack Montoucet
Jack Montoucet | |
|---|---|
| Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries | |
| In office January 16, 2017 – April 14, 2023 | |
| Governor | John Bel Edwards |
| Preceded by | Charlie Melancon |
| Succeeded by | Robert Shadoin |
| Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 42nd district | |
| In office 2008 – January 15, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Gil Pinac |
| Succeeded by | John Stefanski |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 1947 (age 77) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence(s) | Scott, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Jack Montoucet (born October 1947)[1] is an American politician who served as secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries under Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards.[2] He resigned on April 14, 2023 during a bribery scandal[3][4][5] involving a Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission member.[4][5][6]
On March 21, 2025, Montoucet was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges including conspiracy to commit bribery and wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The indictment alleges that during his tenure as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), Montoucet conspired with LDWF Commissioner Dusty Guidry [3] [7] [8] and businessman Leonard Franques to steer a state contract to Franques' company, DGL1, LLC, in exchange for kickbacks. The scheme involved awarding contracts for online education services, with portions of the revenue allegedly set aside as illicit payments to Montoucet, including a $122,507.96 kickback disguised as a "signing bonus" to be paid after his retirement. Montoucet faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million if convicted.[9]
Career
From 2008 to 2017, Montoucet was a Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for District 42 in Lafayette and Acadia parishes. A resident of Scott in Lafayette Parish, he was the vice chair of the Acadiana delegation and a member of the Democratic Caucus and the Louisiana Rural Caucus.[10] Montoucet retired as the chief of the Lafayette Fire Department and owns the alligator farm, Jacques Crocs and Farm Pride Processors.
Elections
2011
On October 22, 2011, Montoucet won re-election to District 61 of the Louisiana House of Representatives, defeating Republican Anthony Emmons in the primary. Because Louisiana uses a blanket primary system, a candidate can be declared the overall winner of the seat by garnering 50 percent +1 of the vote in the primary.
2007
In 2007, Montoucet was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives. He defeated fellow Democrat Isabella delaHoussaye.[11]
References
- ^ "Jack Montoucet, October 1947". Louisiana Secretary of State. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ "Governor Edwards appoints state Rep. Jack Montoucet to head wildlife and fisheries". WAFB-TV. December 30, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
- ^ a b "Louisiana wildlife chief quits amid scandal". AP. Associated Press. April 14, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
- ^ a b Hilburn, Greg (April 14, 2023). "Louisiana Wildlife Secretary Jack Montoucet resigns amid bribery, kickback scandal". Lafayette Daily Advertiser. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
- ^ a b Louisiana Illuminator (April 14, 2023). "In a Flash: Wildlife & Fisheries secretary quits following reports linking him to federal probe". Louisiana Illuminator. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
- ^ Bridges, Tyler; Russell, Gordon; Karlin, Sam (April 13, 2023). "Jack Montoucet, state wildlife head, is implicated in bribery scandal, documents show". Times-Picayune / Nola.com. Additional contributions by Faimon Roberts. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
- ^ "La. Wildlife and Fisheries boss resigns amid reports on alleged kickback scheme". WBRZ. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
- ^ "Montoucet resigns". KATC News. April 14, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
- ^ "Western District of Louisiana | Former Secretary of Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Indicted by Federal Grand Jury | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. May 21, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
- ^ Project Vote Smart - Rep. Montoucet
- ^ Official Louisiana House 2007 General Election Results
Sources
- This article incorporates text from Ballotpedia, released under the GFDL.