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2011-1332
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STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> o'pF►ou7 DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> s <br /> aa'i�;I *, LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> 1. Ip„,;_ �6, •• P.O.BOX 4368 <br /> BATON ROUGE,LA 70821 <br /> \ �O+Pfo �p� (225)219-5600 <br /> ''.. FAX:(225)381-7271 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> October 28, 2011 www.ethics.state.la.us <br /> Ms. Bonnie Champagne <br /> Clerk to Council <br /> P.O. Box 778 <br /> Covington, LA 70434 <br /> Re: Ethics Board Docket No. 2011-1332 <br /> Dear Ms. Champagne: <br /> The Louisiana Board of Ethics, at its October 20. 2011 meeting, considered your request for an <br /> advisory opinion regarding Councilman, Larry Roiling, and his ownership interest in Northshore <br /> Images In Stitches, LLC. You stated in your opinion request that Councilman Rolling was sworn <br /> into office on July 1,2011. You also stated that he owns a 100 percent interest in Northshore hnages <br /> and Stitches, LLC - which is a business located in District D in the City limit of Covington. The <br /> business has been open for the past 13 years and has conducted business with the City consisting of <br /> producing and selling City of Covington logo merchandise. <br /> Based upon these facts you requested the answer to a series of questions, and how the ethics laws <br /> of the State of Louisiana will apply: <br /> 1.) Is itpermissible for Councilman Rolling, through his company, to sell products on which <br /> the city logo is imprinted to the City of Covington and paid for with City of Covington funds? <br /> Section II 13A(1)(a) of the Louisiana Code of Ethics prohibits a public servant or legal entity in <br /> which he owns a controlling interest from bidding on, entering into a contract, subcontract or any <br /> other transaction under the supervision or jurisdiction of his agency. A "controlling interest” is <br /> defined in Section 1102(8) of the Code as an interest in a company that exceeds 25%. Since Mr. <br /> Rolling has an 100%interest then the controlling interest is apparent. As councilman,Mr. Rolling's <br /> agency is the City of Covington. As such, his business would be prohibited by the Code of Ethics <br /> from entering into transactions with the City of Covington. <br /> Further, Section 1112 of the Code prohibits a public servant from participating in transactions <br /> involving his governmental entity in which he would have a substantial economic interest. <br /> Section 1102(15) states that participate means to take part in or have or share responsibility for <br /> action of a governmental entity or a proceeding, personally, as a public servant of the <br /> governmental entity, through approval, disapproval. decision, recommendation. rendering of <br /> advice, investigation orfailure to act or perform a duty. Thus, Councilman Rolling may not <br /> participate in a matter in which his business would have a substantial economic interest. <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />