2021-139 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

Ethics Board Docket No. 2021-139 Page 3 of 11 4. On November 3, 2020, Rowdy Gaudet was elected Councilman, Metro District 3, Parish of East Baton Rouge, and was commissioned on January 1, 2021. As of the date of this Consent Opinion, Rowdy Gaudet remains on the Metro Council, and has served continuously at all times relevant herein. His term will expire on December 31, 2024. As a member of the Metro Council, Rowdy Gaudet is a "public servant" as defined by Section 1102(19) of the Ethics Code, and the City-Parish is his "agency" as defined by Section 1102(2)(a)(vi) of the Ethics Code. 5. Prior to his election to the Metro Council, on May 1, 2020, Rowdy Gaudet was hired as a managing director for Emergent Method. Rowdy Gaudet had no ownership interest in Emergent Method, and was never an officer, partner, or member of Emergent Method. Emergent Method does not have a Board of Directors. Rowdy Gaudet was initially hired with a salary of$142,500.00 together with a$100 monthly stipend to cover cell phone expenses. His employment benefits also included eligibility for a discretionary year-end salary increase and bonus based on his performance and productivity, as well as the profitability of Emergent Method. On December 23, 2020, Emergent Method issued a letter to Rowdy Gaudet notifying him that he would receive a salary increase of$2,500,which would bring his annual salary for 2021 to$145,000.00. In addition to his salary increase, Rowdy Gaudet would continue to receive a monthly $100 stipend to pay for cell phone expenses. 6. Emergent Method paid Rowdy Gaudet his annual salary of $145,000 together with his monthly $100 stipend to pay for his cell phone expenses for calendar year 2021.