Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 17-1133
 
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RE:
Advisory Opinion request from Dr. James Van Scotter, a professor at LSU relative to being provided room and board by SAS Corporation, a company which contracts with LSU to provide software for the university.
Facts:
Dr. James Van Scotter, an Associate Professor at LSU, is assisting the Louisiana State Police to improve the investigation process relative to the investigation of web sites specializing in prostitution and human trafficking. The assistance being provided by Dr. Van Scotter involves a huge and very complex data set. Dr. Van Scotter does not have the facilities to perform an analysis of this magnitude and has sought help from others. SAS Corporation has agreed to allow Dr. Van Scotter to visit their Advanced Analytics Lab in Cary, North Carolina for three weeks in order to consult with experts in uncovering criminal networks and complex text mining methods. SAS Corporation has offered to provide Dr. Van Scotter with an apartment owned by SAS without charge and would further pay for his meals. Dr. Van Scotter would pay for his travel to and from North Carolina.

SAS Corporation transacts with LSU through the sale of certain software, which they provide to the university. In the past, Dr. Van Scotter has requested that LSU obtain software and modules from SAS Corporation.

Law:
La. R.S. 42:1115B(2) prohibits a public employee 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 employee knows or reasonably should know that such person has a substantial economic interest which may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the public employee's official duty.
Recommendations:
Adopt the proposed advisory opinion.
Assigned Attorney: Greg Thibodeaux
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2017-1133 AO Draft, Van Scotter
2017-1133 AOR