| Advisory opinion request regarding whether a company owned by L.J. "Joey" Durel, Jr., the Lafayette Consolidated City Parish government President, may purchase an office building. |
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President Durel has requested an advisory opinion regarding whether the Code of Governmental Ethics (Code) would prohibit his company, Durel Properties, L.L.C., from purchasing a small office building in the City of Lafayette. President Durel stated that when the property ownership transfers a Certificate of Occupancy will be required. A Certificate of Occupancy requires an inspection to ensure that the building is up to code.
As the City Parish President the department that conducts the inspections is under the purview of his agency. He further stated that the building has recently been remodeled and prior to the sale, the current owner will have a courtesy inspection conducted to ensure that the property is up to code. Therefore, President Durel believes that the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy would only trigger a routine administrative transaction requiring no further involvement by his agency.
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La. R.S. 42:1113A states no public servant, or a member of such a public servant's immediate family, or a legal entity in which he has a controlling interest shall bid on or enter into any contract, subcontract or other transaction that is under the supervision or jurisdiction of the agency of such public servant.
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Adopt the proposed advisory opinion.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Suzanne Mooney |
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