Former State Official Charged with Conspiracy, Receiving Illegal Payoffs, and Lying to FBI

NEW ORLEANS, LA—Former Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Commissioner HENRY M. MOUTON, 64, of Lafayette, was indicted by a federal grand jury today for conspiracy, receiving illegal payoffs, and making false statements to federal agents, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.

Today’s eight-count indictment alleges that HENRY M. MOUTON, while a commissioner with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, accepted over $463,000 in illegal payoffs from co-conspirators who used MOUTON and specifically his influence to keep closed the Old Gentilly Landfill in New Orleans.

As part of the conspiracy, it is alleged that MOUTON, representing himself as a commissioner with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, contacted members of Congress, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in Louisiana, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and tried repeatedly to gain their assistance in keeping the Old Gentilly Landfill closed. The indictment alleges that all the while, MOUTON was concealing the fact that he was receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars from co-conspirator A and his/her associates. The indictment also charges MOUTON in three counts with actually receiving the payoffs from co-conspirator A.

MOUTON is also charged in four counts with lying to special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in order to conceal and coverup his illegal activities. According to the indictment, MOUTON was interviewed by FBI agents on two separate occasions in 2010 regarding his involvement with co-conspirator A’s landfill company. During interviews with the FBI, it is alleged that MOUTON lied when he denied having a relationship with co-conspirator A and his landfill company.

If convicted, MOUTON faces a possible maximum sentence of 55 years’ imprisonment, $2 million in fines, and three years of supervised release. Additionally, today’s indictment places MOUTON on notice that he is subject to forfeiture for the $463,970.00 that he received from co-conspirator A and other co-conspirators.

U.S. Attorney Letten reiterated that the Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being investigated by special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian M. Klebba, Gregory Kennedy, and William Quinlan.