Jack P. F. Gremillion

Following protracted litigation, in 1986, the state of Louisiana was awarded $540 million “in reparation for past actions by the fed,” said John Broussard, assistant state treasurer and chief investment officer. “The state’s 8(g) fund receives yearly royalty payments between 10 and 36 million dollars. In total, the educational fund has received about 1.5 billion dollars.” To this end, the Louisiana Educational Trust Fund was created to help fund secondary and higher education. Through it, education—the great equalizer— remains accessible. Whatever their socioeconomic status, young people can still imagine a future that gives voice to their dreams.

In 1969, Gremillion was indicted on federal charges of fraud and conspiracy in connection with the bankrupt Louisiana Loan and Thrift Co. In 1971, a jury found him not guilty, but he was then convicted on five counts of perjury for lying to the grand jury investigating the fraud case. He was sentenced to three years in federal prison. He was paroled after serving fifteen months in a federal facility.

Gremillion's rise to Attorney General of Louisiana was a very unique progression. Earl Long tapped Gremillion to succeed his long-time mentor Fred S. Leblanc during his uncle's funeral, where Gremillion was attending as a pallbearer. Soon after, Gremillion defeated Leblanc and became Attorney General in 1952. Gremillion went on to serve four consecutive terms as Attorney General of Louisiana.

Gremillion married Doris McDonald (1920–1989) and had four sons and one daughter; Jack P.F. Gremillion, Jr., William McDonald Gremillion, Wayne Francis Gremillion, Doris H. Gremillion, and Charles Mark Gremillion.

Jack Paul Faustin Gremillion, Sr. (June 15, 1914 – March 2, 2001), was the Democratic Attorney General of Louisiana from 1956 to 1972. He was widely known for his political partnership with Governor Earl Long, his opposition to desegregation and the civil rights movement, and his federal conviction on perjury charges.

Jack Gremillion was born on June 5, 1914 in Donaldsonville, Louisiana to parents, William Kossuth Gremillion (1881–1939) and Genoa Henderson Gremillion (1892–1969). His father was a telegraph operator and his mother was a teacher. Jack attended high school in his hometown of Donaldsonville at Ascension Catholic High School. Due to Gremillion's French descent, he and his family spoke French fluently. Coming from meager family means, with four siblings, he worked his way through college mainly at Solvay Chemical in Baton Rouge. He studied law under the tutelage of Fred S. LeBlanc, then a practicing attorney in Baton Rouge and later the attorney general whom Gremillion unseated. Thereafter, Gremillion was admitted to the practice of law and was a member of the American Bar Association. Gremillion was noted for his short stature, quick mind, and intractable will.