Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries head resigns amid bribery scandal

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet resigned Friday morning, according to the agency.

The Advocate reported Thursday that Montoucet allegedly arranged to take a payoff upon retirement from a Youngsville man as part of a kickback plan. The information that an unnamed official made such a deal was referenced in the federal investigation and plea deal. A records request yielded a document signed by Montoucet, who was not accused of a crime.

He was appointed by Gov. John Bel Edwards in January 2017. The Scott native previously served in the state House of Representatives and once owned an alligator farming business.