LDWF Arrests Four After Revealing Hunting License Scam

After reading the details of this story, I honestly don't know if I'm more mad at the three men who found a way to cheat the system, or the Office of Veterans Affairs employee who knowingly enabled the deed to go unchecked.

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In a story originally reported by wbrz.com, we learn of an illegal hunting license scam in Louisiana that landed four in jail, including a Veterans Service Officer who resides in Bossier Parish.

According to the report, we see that John Ballard Jr. of Denham Springs, Louisiana, and his sons Brian and Trevor, were all arrested in late January after LDWF agents learned of their involvement in this scam that had run for over two years.

In this scam, it is alleged that the Ballards all falsified records in an effort to receive Louisiana Disabled Veteran hunting licenses.  These licenses, which are free for life, are given to bonified disabled military members or Louisiana National Guard members.

It's also alleged that even though she knew that none of these three were qualified for these licenses, Kara Meek, of the Office of Veteran Affairs, approved their applications, and was also arrested.

In the original story from wbrz.com we read:

John Ballard, a 49-year-old from Denham Springs, applied and was approved for the disabled veteran's license in July 2022. Nearly a year later in June 2023, Brian Ballard and Trevor Ballard applied for disabled veterans' licenses.

Also in the story from wbrz.com, we see that Meek, of the Office of Veterans Affairs,  told LDWF investigators that she "knowingly and intentionally falsified applications to obtain the three licenses fraudulently, knowing the individuals were not disabled veterans."