St. Landry Parish sheriff Bobby Guidroz has been accused of ethics violations involving insurance contracts with company partially owned by son-in-law.

The Louisiana Board of Ethics voted Sept. 7 to bring charges against Guidroz and Dupre-Carrier-Godchaux Agency, Inc., accusing the two of ethics violations involving the authorized payments of $1.65 million to the insurance agency which has “controlling interest” by Guidroz’s son-in-law, Willie Godchaux.

DCG served as an agent of record for the sheriff’s office since 1992, before Guidroz was sheriff. The insurance company would work with underwriters and other insurance companies who would issue contracts of insurance with the sheriff’s office, the violation claims.

From 2019, 21 policies were procured for the SLPSO with the assistance of DCG, the violation claims. From 2020 to present, SLPSO made $1.67 million in payments to DCG, $1.65 million in payments for insurance coverage or renewal were directly authorized by Guidroz.

From 2020 to 2022, Willie Godchaux made $782,000 from his role at DCG. The violation claims that DCG partial owner, Godchaux, in transactions between DCG and SLPSO represent substantial economic interest.

The charges directly say that:

“Bobby J. Guidroz, while serving as Sheriff…violated…by virtue of participating in transactions between DCG and SLPSO in which Mr. Godchaux, his immediate family member, had a substantial economic interest.”

“Dupre-Carrier-Godchaux Agency, Inc. violated…by virtue of entering into transaction with SLPSO while Mr. Godchaux, the immediate family member of Mr. Guidroz, has controlling interest in DCG.”

“Bobby J. Guidroz violated…by virtue of authorizing payment from SLPSO to DCG which DCG was prohibited from receiving.”

The charges say that Guidroz, as a public servant, cannot participate in transactions involving a governmental entity (St. Landry Parish Sheriff Office) to an agency in which an immediate family member has substantial economic interest. The board views in-laws as immediate family members and controlling interest as anything over 25% control of an entity. Godchaux has 31% indirect ownership of DCG.

The board said DCG violated ethic rules when they entered into contract with SLPSO, which was under the supervision of his father-in-law and while Godchaux had controlling and substantial economic in DCG.

DCG was acquired in 2015 by United Insurance Group, which Godchaux Holding Group, which is 50% owned by Willie Godchaux, had a 63% share in.

Guidroz said he could not comment based on advice from his attorney, Mike Leger.

If found guilty of violations, Guidroz could face censure and a fine up to $10,000. DCG if found guilty could face forfeiture of any payments made within the violation.