LPSS Employee Seeks Whistleblower Protections After Forgery Probe

Longtime electrician Huey Manshack alleges retaliation for cooperating in investigation of former construction director

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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A Lafayette Parish School System employee, Huey Manshack, is seeking whistleblower protections under state law after he claims he faced workplace retaliation for cooperating in a forgery investigation involving a former district official, Robert Gautreaux. Manshack's attorney is requesting the work performance reprimand he received be cleared from his record and that he be protected from further retaliation as he continues to serve as a witness.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of whistleblower protections for public employees who come forward with information about potential wrongdoing. It raises questions about accountability and transparency within the Lafayette Parish School System, as well as the challenges whistleblowers can face in the workplace.

The details

Huey Manshack, a longtime electrician for the Lafayette Parish School System, claims he faced adverse actions at work after assisting in an investigation into former construction director Robert Gautreaux. Manshack's attorney, David Rutledge, is seeking whistleblower protections for his client under a Louisiana state statute designed to shield whistleblowers from employer retaliation. Rutledge explained that even a single disciplinary action, like the work performance reprimand Manshack received, can have long-term consequences for an employee's career and benefits.

  • Manshack has worked as an electrician for the school system for more than 15 years.
  • The work performance reprimand Manshack received came while the investigation into Gautreaux was ongoing.

The players

Huey Manshack

A longtime electrician for the Lafayette Parish School System who is seeking whistleblower protections after facing alleged retaliation for cooperating in a forgery investigation.

David Rutledge

Manshack's attorney, who is requesting the work performance reprimand be cleared from his client's record and that he be protected from further retaliation.

Robert Gautreaux

A former construction director for the Lafayette Parish School System who was the subject of the forgery investigation that Manshack assisted with.

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What they’re saying

“A bonus or any accolades that you can receive in the future that can be detrimental to that because you now have a write up on your records. So that is definitely an adverse action of his employment.”

— David Rutledge, Attorney (KLFY)

“He is a potential witness. He cannot avoid being a witness for those actions. He might be called as a witness in the future but he's still going to be employed. So, we'll make sure that he's protected.”

— David Rutledge, Attorney (KLFY)

What’s next

Manshack and his attorney are working to have the work performance reprimand cleared from his employment record and to ensure he is not subject to further retaliation as he continues to serve as a cooperating witness in the investigation.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of robust whistleblower protections for public employees who come forward with information about potential wrongdoing. It underscores the need for accountability and transparency within the Lafayette Parish School System, as well as the challenges whistleblowers can face in the workplace when they speak up.