Former Louisiana Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder is now facing criminal charges — and it's all because of an old piece of wood.

Schexnayder was indicted Wednesday in Baton Rouge on charges of felony theft greater than $25,000 and malfeasance in office. The indictment says Schexnayder "knowingly and intentionally committed theft of a rare Louisiana state artifact," that is worth more than $25,000.

The artifact in question is a board of ancient cypress that long decorated a hallway of the State Capitol but later hung in his district office in Gonzales.

Here's what we know about the cypress board and why it's so important.

What is the artifact?

The board of cypress is about 20 feet by 6 feet. It bears an inscription that tells of its origins: It was cut from a tree in the Lake

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