| Advisory opinion request regarding whether Lynn Cawthorne, a Caddo Parish Commissioner, may serve as an uncompensated board member for Camping World Independence Bowl Foundation, Christian Services Program, Minority Supplier Institute, and Goodwill Industries of Northwest Louisiana. |
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Lynn Cawthorne serves as a member of the Caddo Parish Commission (Commission).
Camping World Independence Bowl Foundation (Foundation) is a non-profit organization that was established for the purpose of advertising and promoting the annual Independence Bowl football game in Shreveport. As a member of the Foundation's Board of Directors, Mr. Cawthorne votes on its budget. Additionally, the Commission has provided funding, through its Economic Development Fund, to the Foundation for the last several years.
Christian Services Program (Program) is a non-profit organization that is focused on uplifting the poor by helping them secure job training, running a soup kitchen, and providing assistance in emergency situations. Mr. Cawthorne currently serves as President of the Program's Board of Directors. Additionally, the Commission has provided funding, through its Riverboat Fund, to the Program for the last several years.
Minority Supplier Institute (Institute), an unincorporated subsidiary of the Strategic Action Council, provides business assistance to minority owned businesses. While Mr. Cawthorne serves as a board member for the Institute, he does not vote on its budget. Additionally, the Commission has provided funding to the Institute in the past.
Finally, Goodwill Industries of Northwest Louisiana (Goodwill) is a non-profit organization focused on providing job training and contract services in the local community. As a board member for Goodwill, Mr. Cawthorne votes on its budget. Additionally, Goodwill has a contract with the Caddo Parish Juvenile Services to provide job readiness training. However, the Commission does not vote on this contract, nor is it involved in awarding the contract.
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La. R.S. 42:1112B(3) prohibits a public servant from participating in a transaction involving the governmental entity in which, to his actual knowledge, any person of which he is an officer, director, trustee, partner, or employee has a substantial economic interest.
La. R.S. 42:1123(1) allows a public servant to participate in the affairs of charitable, religious, nonprofit educational, public service, civic organizations, and bona fide organized public volunteer fire departments when no compensation is received.
La. R.S. 42:1120 provides that if any elected official, in the discharge of a duty or responsibility of his office or position, would be required to vote on a matter which vote would be a violation of R.S. 42:1112, he shall recuse himself from voting. An elected official who recuses himself from voting pursuant to this Section shall not be prohibited from participating in discussion and debate concerning the matter, provided that he makes the disclosure of his conflict or potential conflict a part of the record of his agency prior to his participation in the discussion or debate and prior to the vote that is the subject of discussion or debate.
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Adopt the proposed advisory opinion.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Haley Williams |
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