Louisiana lawmaker says private eye hired to dig up dirt to influence vote on film credits

Two legislative leaders in the Louisiana House said they were politically threatened on separate occasions by unidentified executives in the film industry because of their perceived opposition to the state's movie tax credit program, including hiring a private detective to dig up dirt one of the lawmakers.

Republican House Retirement Committee Chair Phillip DeVillier of Eunice and Republican Speaker Pro-tem Tanner Magee both said they have never experienced such direct threats in their political careers.

Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association President Trey Burvant, who said he was shocked to learn about the threats, condemned the tactics and insisted they aren't typical of the thousands of workers employed by the industry. "I don't know anyone here who would do that," Burvant said.

DeVillier provided text messages from a constituent in June 2021 who said a private detective had been hired by an unidentified "major film producer" to secure compromising information on DeVillier that might give them leverage.

An associate of the private detective reached out to DeVillier's constituent, who shared ongoing texts with the lawmaker.

One unedited text read: "Any information related to Mr. Devillier (businesses, vehicles, mistresses, gambling habits, etc.) It would probably be easier to explain if we talked on phone. When are you free to talk?"

The initial text shared with DeVillier explained their interest: "Our client is a major film producer and is trying to figure out why State Rep Phillip Ryan Devillier keeps voting against the tax credit for the Film Industry in Louisiana. Client is basically trying to figure out if Devillier is against the industry or just misinformed and doesn't understand how much the movies do for La?"

DeVillier said he reported the incident to Republican House Speaker Clay Schexnayder of Gonzales, but didn't ask Schexnayder to pursue any action.

"I wasn't afraid, but it was unsettling to think something like that would happen," he said. "They were sharing where I live, where I work, who my wife is."

Magee said an unidentified Apple executive threatened to pull production of the 2022 film "Emancipation" starring Will Smith from Houma if Magee supported a bill related to requiring wider availability of apps outside of Apple's app store.

"I've never been threatened like that before," Magee said. "They were saying, 'We're going to hurt your people's economic viability.'"

"Emancipation" was ultimately filmed in Houma.

Magee first related his story publicly in an April 26 hearing on the tax credit measure, which is House Bill 562 by Schexnayder.

DeVillier said he wasn't inclined to go public with his experience until Magee related his story. "I didn't want it to affect the bill," he said.

DeVillier and Magee ultimately voted for the bill to extend the annual $180 million film tax program beyond its 2025 expiriation date. The bill now awaits a Senate vote as it nears an expected final passage.

Both DeVillier and Magee said they don't believe the tactics are isolated. "When you hear from more than one member, something is obvious," Devillier said.

"Clearly something is going on," Magee said.

But Burvant said the opposite is true.

"Is something happening twice in 20 years a trend?" he said. "We don't condone that and we're sorry it happened. We would never think to do anything of the sort."

Burvant noted he met with DeVillier in March, where he learned about DeVillier's concern and saw the texts himself. Burvant said he tried to find out who may have hired the private investigator for two weeks after the meeting without success.

Burvant followed up with an email to DeVillier that Burvant provided to USA Today Network.

"Please know that we looked into the serious matter ..." Burvant wrote. "I can assure you no member of LFEA or our partner organizations made any such inquiries with you, recently or in the past."

"... Nothing is more important than your safety," Burvant wrote, suggesting that DeVillier reach out to law enforcement.

"We did everything we thought was appropriate to address the concerns and we did it immediately," said Burvant, who said DeVillier didn't respond to the email.

"I don't know why they didn't reach out to us immediately to us for help," he said.

More: Should Louisiana extend film tax credit program that brings movie magic from Hollywood?

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Two Louisiana lawmakers claim political threats by film credit advocates