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.'' ft Lam'. <br /> e <br /> STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> est 1. DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> iT � �; LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> ,� 2415 QUAIL DRIVE . <br /> THIRD FLOOR <br /> 0 o BATON ROUGE,LA 70808 <br /> (225)763-8777 <br /> FAX (225)763-8780 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> www.ethics.state.la.us <br /> March 24, 2008 <br /> Charles E. "Chas" Roemer, IV <br /> 6837 Rue Bocage <br /> Baton Rouge, LA 70809 <br /> Re: Ethics Board Docket No. 2008-122 <br /> Dear Mr. Roemer: <br /> The Louisiana Board of Ethics, at its March 13, 2008 meeting, considered your request <br /> clarification of the advisory opinion that was rendered at its February 14, 2008 meeting <br /> concerning your sister's employment with the Louisiana Charter School Association (the <br /> "Association")while you serve as an elected member of the Louisiana Board of Elementary <br /> and Secondary Education (BESE). You stated that your sister, Caroline Roemer, is the <br /> Executive Director of the Association. You also stated that the Association receives no <br /> 1111 public funding, nor does it enter into any contracts, subcontracts or official "transactions" <br /> with BESE or the State of Louisiana. <br /> As stated in the previous advisory opinion, Section 1113A of the Code prohibits a public <br /> servant, a member of his immediate family, or a legal entity in which they own an interest <br /> in excess of the 25%, from entering into contracts,subcontracts or other transactions that are <br /> under the supervision or jurisdiction of the public servant's agency. Therefore, your sister <br /> is prohibited from appearing before BESE and representing the Association in matters before <br /> BESE. With respect to the following specific questions raised, the Board, without the <br /> participation of Board member Davis, concluded: <br /> 1. Were you clear in your original request that the Association does not receive public <br /> funding and that it does not enter into transactions with BESE or the State? Such a direct <br /> statement was not made; however, such a fact would not affect the advisory opinion <br /> rendered. <br /> 2. Can a member of the Association's staff, other than Caroline Roemer, appear before <br /> BESE? Yes. The Ethics Code would not prohibit employee's other than Ms. Roemer from <br /> appearing. <br /> 3. Can Ms. Roemer work on material that the Association might present to BESE that may <br /> III or may not require action by BESE? Yes, as long as Ms. Roemer is not submitting <br /> information in her name or appearing before BESE on behalf of the Association. <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />