| Advisory opinion request regarding whether Lacresha Wilkerson, an employee of the Louisiana Department of Justice, may accept complimentary lodging, transportation, and meals from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee to attend an educational seminar in Israel for Southwest Christian Leaders. |
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Ms. Wilkerson is an employee of the Louisiana Department of Justice. She stated that the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF), a non-profit organization affiliated with the AIPAC, approached her about participating in a trip to Israel to learn about American-Israeli relations. Ms. Wilkerson also stated that the invitation for her to participate in this trip was not influenced in any way by her employment with the Louisiana Department of Justice. She provided that at the time the offer was made for her to attend the AIPAC conference they were not aware that she was employed by the Louisiana Department of Justice.
Furthermore, neither AIPAC nor AIEF has a contractual or other business or financial relationship with the Louisiana Department of Justice. Finally, Ms. Wilkerson explained that the trip is strictly a personal opportunity and is not related in any way to her work for the State of Louisiana or the Department of Justice.
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La. R.S. 42:1111A prohibits a public servant from receiving anything of economic value, other than compensation and benefits from the governmental entity to which she is duly entitled, for the performance of the duties and responsibilities of her office or position.
La. R.S. 42:1115A prohibits a public servant from soliciting or accepting, directly or indirectly, any thing of economic value as a gift or gratuity from any person or from any officer, director, agent, or employee of such person, if such public servant knows or reasonably should know that such person: (1) Has or is seeking to obtain contractual or other business or financial relationships with the public servant's agency, or (2) Is seeking, for compensation, to influence the passage or defeat of legislation by the public servant's agency.
La. R.S. 42:1115B prohibits a public employee from soliciting or accepting, directly or indirectly, anything of economic value as a gift or gratuity from any person or from any officer, director, agent, or employee of such person, if such public employee knows or reasonably should know that such person: (1) Conducts operations or activities which are regulated by the public employee's agency, or (2) Has substantial economic interests which may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the public employee's official duty.
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Adopt the proposed advisory opinion.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Suzanne Mooney |
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