BATON ROUGE — Lawyers representing three men indicted on allegations they conspired to bypass state purchasing laws said Friday that Louisiana prosecutors mischaracterized legitimate business activities and that they are sure that no criminal conduct occurred.

Gary Beard and Oscar "Reed" Richard, as public employees, were accused of one count each of malfeasance in office, monopolizing trade or commerce, and conspiracy. A private businessman, Jason Hewitt, is accused of two counts of conspiracy, two counts of monopolizing trade and two counts of being a principal to malfeasance in office.

Beard is the former head of the Capital Area Groundwater Conservation District and Richard is an assistant superintendent at BREC, the area's park system. Hewitt held contracts with both through his fir

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