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STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> oF L�U DEPARTMENT OF STATE CNIL SERVICE <br /> �pN• JUSTliTr . <br /> ��Jrfi; �°�^99 LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> �u� ; , P.O.BOX 4368 <br /> * /��� . � * BATON ROUGE,LA 70821 <br /> '� �' (225)219-5600 <br /> �N�IDENc <br /> •...w....� FAX:(225)381-7271 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> www.ethics.la.gov <br /> May 6, 2025 <br /> Christopher Smith <br /> Councilman at Large, Bossier City <br /> P.O. Box 5337 <br /> Bossier City, Louisiana 71171-5337 <br /> Re: Docket No. 2025-120 <br /> Advisory Opinion <br /> Dear Mr. Smith: <br /> The Louisiana Board of Ethics, at its May 2, 2025 meeting, considered your advisory opinion <br /> request as to whether the Code of Governinental Ethics (the "Code") prohibits your brother-in- <br /> law,Jason Shelton,from being promoted and appointed to the position of Fire Chief for the Bossier <br /> City Fire Departinent while you serve as Councilman at Large for Bossier City. <br /> FACTS PROVIDED <br /> You are married to Courtney Friedley Smith. Casey Wallace Shelton is the half-sister of Courtney <br /> Friedley Smith. Casey Wallace Shelton is married to Jason Shelton. Jason Shelton has been <br /> employed with the Bossier City Fire Department since June of 1999. Mr. Shelton seeks to be <br /> promoted and appointed to the position of Fire Chief. The Mayor of Bossier City has sole authority <br /> to promote and appoint the position of Fire Chief. The Bossier City Council will have no rale in <br /> this promotion and appointment. <br /> LAW <br /> La. R.S. 42:1102(13) defines "inunediate family" as the term relates to a public servant to mean <br /> his children,the spouses of his children,his brothers and their spouses,his sisters and their spouses, <br /> his parents, his spouse, and the parents of his spouse. <br /> ANALYSIS & CONCLUSION <br /> The Board concluded, and instructed me to inform you, that the Code does not prohibit Jason <br /> Shelton from being appointed and promoted to the position of Fire Chief for the Bossier City Fire <br /> Department while you serve as Councilman at Large for Bossier City since Jason Shelton is not <br /> your immediate family member as defined by La. R.S. 42:1102(13). <br /> Changes to the facts as presented may result in a different application of the provisions of the <br /> Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics. The Board issues no opinion as to past conduct or as to <br /> Page 1 of 2 (BD 2025-077) <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />