On March 31, 2026, former Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet admitted guilt in a federal case involving a scheme to defraud the United States.

According to a press release issued by the United States Attorney’s Office, prosecutors said he accepted illegal payments in exchange for influencing the awarding of state contracts and also engaged in wire fraud. As a result of his plea, he could face up to five years in federal prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller said that public servants are expected to act with honesty when managing taxpayer-funded programs. He noted that misconduct like this erodes public trust and damages confidence in how government contracts are handled. He pledged that his office would continue pursuing accountability in cases involving corruption.

Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the FBI New Orleans Field Office said that Montoucet helped a co-conspirator get a lucrative state contract to provide online courses for kickbacks.

"Thankfully, there are still good people out there who reached out to the FBI and local law enforcement to report this illegal activity. The FBI and our partners will continue to ensure public officials honor the public’s trust," Tapp said.

Court filings revealed that Montoucet arranged for a company, DGL1, LLC, to receive a state contract tied to online education programs for hunters and boaters. In return, he agreed to receiving one-third of the profit that would result from the contract, with the other two-thirds divided between Montoucet’s two conspirators, Dusty Guidry and Leonard Franques. Even after the Louisiana Department of Administration, Office of Special Procurement raised concern about the initial no-bid contract, steps were taken to ensure the company ultimately secured the deal through a formal bidding process.

Authorities also uncovered efforts to hide the payments tied to the scheme. Plans were made to delay Montoucet’s portion of the money and disguise it as legitimate income after he left his position. The investigation, led by federal agencies and prosecutors, remains part of broader efforts to address public corruption.