The former head of the Baton Rouge area's groundwater protection district and a parish parks agency official were indicted on corruption charges Wednesday.

Gary Beard, 69, who until last month was director of the Capital Area Groundwater Conservation District, and Assistant Baton Rouge Parks Superintendent Oscar Reed Richard, 62, were both charged with a single count each of contract conspiracy in restraint of trade, monopolizing trade and malfeasance in office.

Also charged was Samuel Jason Hewitt, 53, who was indicted on six total counts, two each of the same charges as Beard and Richard.

The indictment says Hewitt entered into contracts with representatives from both the Capital Area Groundwater Conservation District and BREC, the East Baton Rouge parks agency, to restrict competitio

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