Former Louisiana House speaker arrested for alleged cypress relic theft

The former speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives was arrested Monday in connection with an ancient cypress artifact that has gone missing from the State Capitol.

Clay Schexnayder, 56, was charged with felony theft and malfeasance in office. Online records from the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail show he was released after posting $10,000 bail.

The historically significant cypress board, measuring 20 feet by 6 feet, was last seen at Schexnayder’s legislative office in Gonzales. It’s believed to date back to the 8th century A.D. and was harvested from the Maurepas Swamp.

The wood was left behind when Schexnayder moved out of the office last year, having reached his term limit in the legislature. 

“I left the board and computer stuff there for the state to pick up,” Schexnayder told WAFB-TV last week after his indictment was announced. “I left it there like any representative does. What happened to it, I don’t know.” 

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill sought charges against Schexnayder, who said he had only heard from her office once before his indictment was made public. The former speaker said he was willing to assist authorities in finding the missing relic.

Schexnayder’s felony charge stems from the valuation of the cypress board exceeding $25,000. Felony theft in Louisiana is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a fine reaching $50,000 or both though sentences are typically much lower for first-time offenders.

The maximum penalties for malfeasance in office are 10 years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine.