Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 16-1200
 
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RE:
Advisory opinion by Rita Hudson regarding whether she would be prohibited from contracting as a consultant with the Lafayette District of the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) on the I-49 Connector Project after retiring from the DOTD.
Facts:
In April of 2016, Rita Hudson retired as right of way agent in the Lake Charles office of the Lafayette Regional District. As a right of way agent for that office, she assisted in right of way acquisition, relocation assistance, and the property management programs. However, the right of way agent position is considered to be a statewide position such that Ms. Hudson could be tasked to work in any part of the state where her services were needed. She was also considered a lead agent who was responsible for training and mentoring the lower-level agents in her office; however, she was not considered a supervisor.

As a consultant, she would be providing assistance in the acquisition of property needed for DOTD rights of way and also assisting persons needing relocation services. These are the same services she provided while employed by the Lake Charles office of the Lafayette Regional District of DOTD. Ms. Hudson stated that she did perform work for the Lafayette office of the Lafayette Regional District on various projects during her tenure with DOTD but never performed any work or attended any of the planning meeting on the I-49 Connector Project.

Law:
La. R.S. 42:1121B prohibits a former public employee, for a period of two years following the termination of his public employment, from assisting another person, for compensation, in a transaction, or in an appearance in connection with a transaction in which such former public employee participated at any time during his public employment and involving the governmental entity by which he was formerly employed, or for a period of two years following termination of his public employment, render, any service which such former public employee had rendered to the agency during the term of his public employment on a contractual basis, regardless of the parties to the contract, to, for, or on behalf of the agency with which he was formerly employed.
Recommendations:
Adopt proposed opinion.
Assigned Attorney: Brett Robinson
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2016-1200 Proposed Opinion
2016-1200 AOR
2016-1200- Additional Info
2016-1200- ROW Job description
2016-1200- DOTD info