Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet has submitted his resignation as it has become public he’s involved in a bribery scandal. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this is not a good look for the Edwards administration.
“You are looking at a public relations disaster for the administration, when a high ranking official resigns and obviously has serious problems with the FBI related to bribery,” said Pinsonat.
Federal documents show Montoucet’s signature is on a contract tied to a kickback scheme that has resulted in the conviction of Dusty Guidry of Youngsville on three federal charges. Pinsonat says Louisiana has a reputation for political corruption.
“In Louisiana the FBI is very active, they’ve arrested and put in jail a lot of politicians and elected officials, but it continues,” said Pinsonat.
Records from the U-S Attorney’s office indicates Montoucet signed a contract for a program set up by Guidry, that would resulted in an LDWF official receiving an ATV worth $14,000 dollars upon retirement. The Advocate newspaper reports Montoucet is the only LDWF official to sign the contract. Pinsonat says Montoucet has not been charged criminally and has not commented.
“We’ll see what his defense is,” said Pinsonat. “He’s associated with an ATV and other things involved, can the FBI make the charge stick and convict him, ‘we’ve yet to get to the point.”
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