Meetings
 
Louisiana Board of Ethics
 LaSalle Building
First Floor - Griffon Room
NOVEMBER 19, 2015
1:30 PM
(meeting time for the November meeting changed from 2:30 PM to 1:30 PM)
617 North 3rd Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Note: Meetings begin on November 19, 2015 and continue to November 20, 2015.

Executive Session
Consideration of complaints and reports deemed confidential pursuant to Section 1141 of the Code of Governmental Ethics.
Discussion in executive session of litigation involving Bryan Krantz and Neal Cormier.

Louisiana Board of Ethics
LaSalle Building
First Floor - LaBelle Room
NOVEMBER 20, 2015
9:00 AM
617 North 3rd Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

GENERAL
Public Hearings
G1. Docket No. 15-972
Public hearing to consider a declaratory opinion request regarding the time limits in which a person may make contributions in connection with a general election.
Appearances
G2. Docket No. EABSELC
Appearance by Ann Wise, Director of the Division of Administrative Law, to select an alternate administrative law judge to serve on Panel A of the Ethics Adjudicatory Board.
G3. Docket No. 15-494
Appearance in connection with a request to reconsider the Board's denial of a waiver request submitted by Whitney Laird (formerly Whitney Kling) regarding a $1,300 late fee assessed for filing her R.S. 42:1114 disclosure affidavit 13 days late.
G4. Docket No. 15-809
Waiver request submitted by Ema Haq, Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, regarding a $800 late fee assessed for filing his 2013 Tier 2.1 Annual PFD 16 days late.
G5. Docket No. 15-919
Advisory opinion regarding whether Gary Albarez can continue to provide contractual appraisal services to Leonard E. Pauley, Jr., if he accepts employment with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), Section 23, Real Estate as a Review Appraiser 4.
Consent Agenda and Consent Opinions
G6. Docket No. CHART
Chart for Advisory Opinion Requests on the General Consent November 2015 Agenda.
G7. Docket No. 15-896
Advisory opinion request regarding whether Darrell McMullen may test employees of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) District 5 for commercial driver's license (CDL) while being employed by Gang 760 within District 5.
G8. Docket No. 15-904
Advisory opinion request submitted on behalf of the St. Landry Parish Government, regarding the propriety of immediate family members serving on an appointed parish board or commission and elected officials receiving compensation for service on an appointed parish board or commission.
G9. Docket No. 15-906
Advisory opinion request from Earl Martinez, the Superintendent of the Assumption Parish School Board, regarding whether the Code of Governmental Ethics will prohibit the school board from automatically debiting funds for Ameriprise 403B plans, when the agent's father serves as a school board member.
G10. Docket No. 15-998
Advisory opinion regarding the application of the dual office holding and dual employment prohibitions to Ben Otwell, newly elected member of the Catahoula Parish Police Jury, and whether he may maintain his employment with the Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office.
G11. Docket No. 15-999
Advisory opinion request regarding whether Paul Carroll may work on the Schneider Canal Levee Project, as an employee of Picciola & Associates, within two years of the termination of his employment with St. Tammany Parish.
G12. Docket No. 15-1001
Advisory opinion request as to whether the Acadia Parish Police Jury may appoint Michael Habetz as a part-time board member of the Acadia Parish Planning Committee.
G13. Docket No. 15-1004
Advisory opinion request regarding whether the Town of Welsh is prohibited from leaving a home owner the dirt from their ditch after town employees cleared the ditch for drainage purposes.
G14. Docket No. 15-1007
Disqualification plan regarding the hiring of immediate family members of Isaac Joseph, Superintendent of the Jefferson Parish School System.
G15. Docket No. 15-1010
Advisory opinion request regarding whether Cameron Parish District Attorney Jennifer Jones is prohibited from utilizing Westlaw services paid for by the District Attorney's Office in her private law practice. Additionally, Ms. Jones asked whether she is prohibited from using public funds to purchase "pocket parts" for her private law library.
G16. Docket No. 15-1011
Advisory opinion request regarding whether matters involving the Terrebonne Children's Advocacy Center (Center) or Victim's Assistance Program (Program) within 32nd Judicial District require the District Attorney's Office and/or Judge Juan Pickett to recuse themselves, considering that Bernadette Pickett, an assistant district attorney, is the spouse of Judge Pickett, the director of the Center and a supervisor of the Program.
G17. Docket No. 15-1028
Advisory opinion regarding whether Jennifer Laska may continue her employment with the Tangipahoa Parish Library after marrying the son of Barry Bradford, the Director of the Tangipahoa Parish Library.
G18. Docket No. 15-1030
Advisory opinion request from Patterson Mayor Rodney Grogan regarding whether the Code of Governmental Ethics would prohibit the Chairman of the City of Patterson Planning and Zoning Commission, Tim McCann, or his company, St. Mary Realty, from purchasing surplus property.
G19. Docket No. 15-1035
Request to affirm an advisory opinion issued to Roy Mardis, a member of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury, regarding his employment with the Claiborne Parish's Detention Center, which is owned by the Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office that was previously issued in Docket No. 2006-434.
G20. Docket No. 15-1041
Advisory opinion request as to whether Tyler Turner, the brother of Travis Turner, a current Ascension Parish Councilman, may be employed as Recreation Director or Assistant Recreation Director with the Parish of Ascension.
G21. Docket No. 15-1042
Advisory opinion regarding the application of the post employment restrictions to Sandra Jones, a former Procurement Management Analyst with the Financial Affairs Office of the Southern University Law Center, and her company, Lawson Business Products.
G22. Docket No. 15-1086
Advisory opinion regarding the propriety of appointing Gabriel Virdure to the Vieux Carre Commission while she is employed with Trapolin Peer Architects.
G23. Docket No. 15-1087
Advisory opinion request concerning post-employment restrictions that would apply to Camile J. Punch after he retires from the Purchasing Department of St. Mary Parish Government.
G24. Docket No. 15-1150
Advisory opinion regarding whether John E. Atkins, a newly elected member of the Caddo Parish Commission, may continue to provide compensated services to Argent Financial Group, Inc., when its wholly owned subsidiary, Argent Trust Company, N.A., serves as the Caddo Parish Commission's custodian of a portion of its surplus funds.
Disclosure Reports
G25. Docket No. 15-1110
Answer submitted by George O. McConathy, former member of the Sabine Soil and Water Conservation District, in response to a notice of delinquency regarding his 2014 Annual Tier 2.1 PFD.
G26. Docket No. 15-1112
Answer submitted by Linda L. Taylor, a former member of the St. Landry Tourist Commission, regarding her failure to file her 2014 Tier 2.1 Annual Personal Financial Disclosure Statement.
G27. Docket No. 15-1113
Answer submitted by Leonard E. Yokum, Jr., a former member of the Hammond Airport Authority, regarding his failure to file his 2014 Tier 2.1 Annual Personal Financial Disclosure Statement.
G28. Docket No. 15-1114
Answer submitted by Beverly Williams, a former member of the Jefferson Parish Retirement System, regarding her failure to file her 2014 Tier 2.1 Annual Personal Financial Disclosure Statement.
G29. Docket No. 15-1115
Answer submitted by Rubby W. Douglas, a former member of the Florida Parishes Human Service Authority, regarding her failure to file her 2014 Tier 2.1 Annual Personal Financial Disclosure Statement.
G30. Docket No. 15-1116
Answer submitted by John Maggiore, a member of the Stonebridge Property Owners Association, in response to a notice of delinquency.
G31. Docket No. 15-1117
Answer submitted by Huntington Park Subdivision Improvement District President Sterling Williams, on behalf of Joseph Theard, in response to a notice of delinquency regarding his 2014 Annual Tier 2.1 PFD.
Regular Business
G32. Docket No. MINUTES
October 2015 Board Minutes
G33. Docket No. 11-1049
Consent opinion regarding Burt Leonard, who was employed by the Southwest Avoyelles Waterworks District, at a time when his father-in-law, P.T. Palermo, was employed as the director of the District.
G34. Docket No. 11-1611
Consent order regarding Kevin Guidry, a member of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, failure to file a disclosures.
G35. Docket No. 14-178
Consent order regarding Michaelle Duncan, a Randolph Sheppard Management Analyst with the Louisiana Workforce Commission, contracting with her father's company, Wall to Wall Plumbing, to perform work for the Commission.
G36. Docket No. 14-188
Consent order regarding Rina Tikia of Tikia Consulting Group, Inc., giving Saints tickets to Mark Cockerham, a member of the Lafayette Parish School Board while Tikia Consulting Group was seeking a contractual relationship with the School Board.
G37. Docket No. 14-677
Consent Opinion regarding George Tosspon former CFO of Catahoula Parish Sheriff's Office for giving himself two unapproved raises and contracting with his agency within two years of the termination of his public service.
G38. Docket No. 14-1042
Consent opinion regarding the employment of Victor Lewis at J.S. Clark Leadership Academy while his wife, Tiffany Lewis, serves as the chief executive officer of Outreach Community Development Corporation, Inc., a nonprofit corporation holding the charter of J.S. Clark Leadership Academy.
G39. Docket No. 14-1468
Waiver request submitted by Henry Maitre, III, Constable for St. Bernard Parish, Ward E, regarding a $2,500 late fee assessed for filing his 2013 Tier 2 annual pfd 41 days late.
G40. Docket No. 15-1029
Advisory opinion request as to whether D'Arbonne Woods Charter School may continue to employ Cullen Smith, the son-in-law of the Director.
G41. Docket No. 15-1152
Advisory opinion regarding whether Senator Jonathan Perry, Representative Mike Johnson and Representative Alan Seabaugh may receive complimentary travel and lodging to attend an education trip to Israel from the American Israel Education Foundation.
G42.   WAIVER REQUESTS - CAMPAIGN FINANCE
  Docket No. chart
November 2015 Campaign Finance Waiver Chart
  Docket No. 14-1431
Request that the board waive the $440 campaign finance late fee assessed against Redell Comeaux Miller, a candidate for School Board, Lafayette Parish in the November 4, 2014 election, whose 30-P report was filed 11 days late.
  Docket No. 15-289
Request that the Board waive the $200 campaign finance late fee assessed against Bobby Joe Cooper, a candidate for Councilman/District A, City of Shreveport, Bossier & Caddo Parish in the November 4, 2014 Election, whose EDE-P campaign finance disclosure report was filed 5 days late.
  Docket No. 15-704
Request that the board waive the $400 campaign finance late fee assessed against Brad Rummel, a candidate for Slidell City Council, Council-at- Large, in the April 5, 2014 election, whose 2014 Supplemental report was filed 16 days late.
  Docket No. 15-1012
Request that the board waive the $800 campaign finance late fee assessed against Mark Doherty, a candidate for Juvenile Court Judge, Section F, Orleans Parish, in the November 4, 2014 election, whose 2014 Supplemental report was filed 8 days late.
  Docket No. 15-1046
Request that the board waive the $1,000 campaign finance late fee assessed against Tracey Flemings-Davillier, a candidate for Criminal District Court Judge, Orleans Parish, in the November 4, 2014 election, whose 2014 Supplemental report was filed 16 days late.
  Docket No. 15-1090
Request that the board waive the 4 $2,000 campaign finance late fees assessed against E. Adrian Adams, a candidate for 24th JDC Judge, in the November 4, 2014 election, and the Committee to Elect E. Adrian Adams, Judge, whose 10-P report was filed 340 days late, EDE-P report was filed 326 days late, 10-G report was filed 314 days late, and the 2014 Supplemental report was filed 230 days late.
  Docket No. 15-1091
Request that the board waive the $400 and $40 campaign finance late fees assessed against Chris Davis, a candidate for Denham Springs City Council, in the November 4, 2014 election, whose EDE-P report was filed 33 days late and EDE-G report was filed 1 day late.
  Docket No. 15-1092
Request that the board waive the $1,000 campaign finance late fee assessed against Mary Harris, a candidate for BESE, in the October 24, 2015 election, whose 180-P report was filed 10 days late.
  Docket No. 15-1093
Request that the board waive the $400 campaign finance late fee assessed against Mike Davis, a candidate for 19th JDC Judge, in the November 4, 2014 election, whose 2014 Supplemental report was filed 216 days late.
  Docket No. 15-1094
Request that the board waive the $600 and $420 campaign finance late fees assessed against Aisha Clark, a candidate for Monroe City Court Judge, Division C, in the November 4, 2014 election, whose EDE-P report was filed 62 days late and EDE-G report was filed 7 days late.
  Docket No. 15-1095
Request that the board waive the $2,500 campaign finance late fee assessed against Richard Perque, a candidate for Traffic Court Judge, Division D, Orleans Parish, in the October 19, 2013 election, whose 2014 Supplemental report was filed 196 days late.
G43.   WAIVER REQUESTS - LOBBYING
  Docket No. CHART
November 2015 Lobbying Waiver Chart.
  Docket No. 15-1081
Request that the Board waive the $150 late fee assessed against Charles Melancon for failure to timely file an Expenditure Report.
  Docket No. 15-1082
Request that the Board waive the $150 late fee assessed against Leicester Landon for failure to timely file an Expenditure Report.
G44.   WAIVER REQUESTS - PERSONAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
  Docket No. waiver
November 2015 PFD Waiver Chart.
  Docket No. 15-1096
Waiver request submitted by Donald R. Warren, Kisatchie Delta Regional Planning and Development District, regarding a $600 late fee assessed for filing his 2013 Tier 2.1 Annual PFD 12 days late.
  Docket No. 15-1097
Waiver request submitted by Aaron Linnell "Rudy" Threats, Lake Providence Chief of Police - East Carroll Parish, regarding a $650 late fee assessed for filing his amended 2013 Tier 3 annual pfd 13 days late.
  Docket No. 15-1098
Waiver request submitted by Rachel Fleetwood, a member of the Stonebridge Property Owners Association Board, regarding a $1,100 late fee assessed for filing her 2011 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 22 days late and a $1,500 late fee assessed for filing her 2012 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 229 days late.
  Docket No. 15-1099
Waiver request submitted by Chad David Danos, a member of the Louisiana Horticulture Commission, regarding a $300 late fee assessed for filing his 2013 Tier 3 Annual PFD 6 days late.
  Docket No. 15-1100
Waiver request submitted by Maxine Hilliard Weaver, a member of the Eastern New Orleans Neighborhood Advisory Committee, regarding a $1,500 late fee assessed for filing her 2011 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 210 days late and a $150 late fee assessed for filing her 2014 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 3 days late.
  Docket No. 15-1101
Waiver request submitted by Joseph H. Fraught III, a former member of the Slidell City Council, District D - St. Tammany Parish, regarding a $1,500 late fee assessed for filing his 2014 Tier 3 annual pfd 43 days late.
  Docket No. 15-1102
Waiver request submitted by Vincent Briley Bown, a former member of the Village of Ashland Council - Natchitoches Parish, regarding a $900 late fee assessed for filing his 2014 Tier 3 annual pfd 18 days late.
  Docket No. 15-1103
Waiver request submitted by Roland Newton Pippin, a former member of the Northwest Louisiana Human Services District, regarding a $1,500 late fee assessed for filing his 2013 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 226 days late.
  Docket No. 15-1104
Waiver request submitted by Andrea Chen, a member of the New Orleans Business Alliance, regarding a $1,500 late fee assessed for filing her 2013 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 106 days late.
  Docket No. 15-1105
Waiver request submitted by Mary Bartholomew, a former member of the Jefferson Parish Workforce Investment Board, regarding a $400 late fee assessed for filing her 2014 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 8 days late.
G45.   WAIVER REQUESTS - RECONSIDERATIONS
  Docket No. 14-263
A request to reconsider the Board's decision to decline to waive the $1,400 campaign finance late fee assessed against D. Nicole Sheppard, a candidate for Judge, Traffic Court, Division D, Orleans Parish in the October 19, 2013 election, whose 10-G campaign finance disclosure report was filed 14 days late.
  Docket No. 15-676
Reconsideration request that the Board waive the $1500 late fee assessed against Charles Richard Byars for failure to timely file an Expenditure Report.