The former director of a Baton Rouge groundwater protection district conspired with an infrastructure company executive to rig public bidding for a $45 million to $50 million water meter contract that went to the executive's company in late 2021, newly revealed documents allege.

The ex-director, Gary Beard, and the executive, Samuel Jason Hewitt, were indicted Wednesday on charges brought by the Louisiana Attorney General's Office of contract conspiracy in restraint of trade, monopolizing trade and malfeasance in office.

Assistant BREC Superintendent Oscar Reed Richard was also indicted on similar charges in connection with a different contract associated with Hewitt and his company that was finalized around the same time, court papers show.

In a joint statement issued Friday, attorne

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