LAFAYETTE, La. — Former Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet, 78, was sentenced June 30, 2026, to 27 months in federal prison for conspiring to defraud the United States by soliciting and accepting kickbacks in exchange for steering a state contract, officials announced this week.
Montoucet pleaded guilty on March 31, 2026.
According to court records, Montoucet used his position as secretary to steer a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries contract to DGL1 LLC in exchange for one-third of the company’s profits. The remaining profits were to be split between co-conspirators Dusty Guidry and Leonard Franques.
On Jan. 27, 2021, Montoucet directed the department to award DGL1 a no-bid contract to provide online hunter and boater education courses.
After the Louisiana Division of Administration’s Office of State Procurement questioned the no-bid award, the department reopened the contract through a competitive bidding process. Prosecutors said Montoucet used his position to give DGL1 an unfair competitive advantage, resulting in the company winning the contract.
On Oct. 8, 2021, Montoucet signed the contract knowing he would receive kickbacks, according to prosecutors.
About a month later, Montoucet met with Guidry and Franques to discuss concealing the payments. They agreed Franques would hold Montoucet’s share until after he left state employment and then pay him through a purported consulting “signing bonus,” court records state.
Quick Facts
- Defendant: Jack Montoucet, 78
- Sentence: 27 months in federal prison
- Charge: Conspiracy to defraud the United States
- Plea: Guilty on March 31, 2026
- Scheme: Accepted kickbacks for steering a state contract
- Company: DGL1 LLC
- Co-conspirators: Dusty Guidry and Leonard Franques
- Contract: Online hunter and boater education courses
- Contract type: Initially awarded as a no-bid contract
- Method of concealment: Payments disguised as a consulting signing bonus