2022-239 - Laserfiche WebLink

Ethics Board Docket No. 2022-239 Page 6 of 8 prohibits Carlee White Gonzales from participating in matters involving the City Council in which her immediate family members have a substantial economic interest. While Carlee White Gonzales served as a member of the City Council,she voted to approve an alcohol permit submitted by a company in which her husband owned a 29.5% interest. If this matter proceeded to a public hearing before the Ethics Adjudicatory Board, and the Ethics Adjudicatory Board found a violation of the Ethics Code, the Ethics Adjudicatory Board could impose a fine of up to $10,000 for each violation of the Ethics Code, pursuant to Section 1153A of the Ethics Code. In this particular situation, it is the conclusion of the Board that the interest of the public would be served by, and the parties have agreed to resolving this matter amicably through the publication of this Consent Opinion with the imposition of a $500 civil penalty against Carlee White Gonzales. VI. ORDER: For the foregoing reasons: IT IS ORDERED that Carlee White Gonzales,in her capacity as Council Member,District 2, City of Hammond, Tangipahoa Parish, violated Section 1112B(1) of the Ethics Code by virtue of voting to renew the alcohol permit for Block 49 and executing the corresponding resolutions while her husband owned an interest in Block 49. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a $500 civil penalty, payable to the Treasurer of the State of Louisiana, be imposed upon Carlee White Gonzales and that in the event of a failure to pay, a suit may be filed to compel immediate payment of any balance due.