| Advisory opinion request regarding the propriety of the 21st Judicial District Court, which includes the parishes of Livingston, Tangipahoa, and St. Helena, contracting with Feliciana J & B Industries, LLC, to screen participants in its drug court program. |
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The 21st Judicial District Court's drug court program (Program) requires random drug screens of its participants. In the past, the Court has used various providers to collect samples and send them in for testing. Currently, Feliciana J & B Industries, LLC, is the only source for these tests in the Amite area.
The Court has contracted with Feliciana J & B Industries, LLC, to provide drug screening services. Feliciana J & B Industries, LLC, is co-owned by Craig Andrews, the ex-husband of Sara Brumfield, the Court's judicial administrator. Feliciana J & B Industries, LLC, has an arrangement with Brandon Andrews, the son of Craig Andrews and Sara Brumfield, whereby he oversees the collection of drug samples from Program participants for which he is reimbursed by Feliciana J & B Industries, LLC.
Monthly, Feliciana J & B Industries, LLC, submits an invoice to the Court for all of the drug screens performed for Program participants. Ms. Brumfield, as judicial administrator, reviews the invoice and approves payment for these drug screening services. However, the actual check paying for the service is signed by one of the judges.
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La. R.S. 42:1112B(1) prohibits a public servant, except as provided in R.S. 42:1120, from participating in a transaction involving the governmental entity in which, to her actual knowledge, any member of her immediate family has a substantial economic interest.
La. R.S. 42:1113A prohibits a public servant, excluding any legislator and any appointed member of any board or commission and any member of a governing authority of a parish with a population of ten thousand or less, or member of his immediate family, or legal entity in which he has a controlling interest from bidding on or entering 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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Decline to render an advisory opinion as the matter involves past conduct.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Haley Williams |
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