| Advisory opinion regarding whether Brett Falterman, a newly hired employee of the Fisheries Management Section of the Office of Fisheries for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) may maintain outside employment while employed with the LDWF. |
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Brett Falterman states that he is the owner of Trident Charters, LLC. Trident Charters, LLC, is a charter fishing entity, the focus of which is offshore fishing charters based predominately in Venice, LA. Mr. Falterman also has a commercial alligator license that is specific to St. Tammany Parish on the Pearl River and throughout Plaquemines Parish. As an employee of LDWF, Mr. Falterman would serve as a Biologist Manager in the Fisheries Management Section of the Office of Fisheries. As a biologist manager, Mr. Falterman conducts research projects on yellowfin tuna, coastal and pelagic sharks, whale sharks, tarpon, and dock-side samples from offshore fishes. He supervises one Biologist III who is responsible for the shark projects and one Biologist II who manages the dockside sampling projects.He manages the schedules for three vessel operators who help conduct the field work and maintain the vessels and field station. He also manages the databases and oversees the data processing and supply of information to the Extension Section, which then brings the information to the public. He works closely with LDWF administration and Marine Fisheries Section to determine what future research projects will help address current data gaps that could contribute to successful management of Louisiana's offshore fisheries resources. Fishing licenses in general, and specifically charter licenses, are processed and handled by the LDWF's Office of Management and Finance (OMF). Alligator tag and lease applications are processed by the Coastal and Non-game Resource Division of the Office of Wildlife, LDWF, and sold through OMF, LDWF. Both charter and alligator licensing are handled by Offices within LDWF that are separate from that within which Mr. Falterman is employed.
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Section 1111C(1)(a) prohibits a public servant from receiving any thing of economic value from an outside source for the performance of services which are devoted substantially to the responsibilities, programs, or operations of the agency of the public servant and in which the public servant has participated.
Section 1113 of the Code prohibits a public servant from entering into transactions that are under the supervision of the agency of the public servant.
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Adopt the proposed advisory opinion.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Aneatra Boykin |
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