LIVINGSTON — A major with the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office still works at the department after a DWI boating incident in March near the mouth of the Amite River. 

Paul Brignac was off-duty when the incident occurred and self-reported himself on March 22, the night the DWI happened, Sheriff Jason Ard said.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents said Brignac was "somewhat disoriented" while navigating a pontoon boat near the Clio Bridge, a low, unmanned drawbridge with a boatway passing beneath it. His boat, which also had multiple passengers aboard, then began going in reverse and eventually collided with a wooden barrier, agents added.

Brignac was then instructed to kill his engine but said he could not because "his batteries were dead and the boat would not be able to restart." 

During the conversation with Brignac, agents said they could "smell the strong odor" of alcohol.

"Additionally, Brignac's speech was slurred and uneven," an LDWF agent's report read. "I also observed many open Natural Light cans throughout the boat, some near the operator's helm." 

After being escorted to shore, Brignac failed multiple sobriety tests, agents added. He was then cited by the LDWF agents but was not booked into jail. He was, however, fingerprinted, the LDWF report said.

"He was given a verbal warning for not displaying the required nighttime navigation lights," agents said, noting that his license was also seized. 

Now, the case has been turned over to the District Attorney Scott M. Perrilloux's office for processing, the sheriff added. 

"Disciplinary action by this department will be decided and administered at the conclusion of the DA’s proceedings," Ard said. 

Brignac, who has been with the force for 20 years, works in LPSO's training division, Ard said.

LDWF said Brignac is due in court on June 12 at 8:30 a.m.