Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 18-1330
 
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RE:
Advisory opinion request by Al Herrera, former commissioner of the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, regarding whether it would be a conflict of interest to sell supplies to customers who may have contracts with the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA).
Facts:
Al Herrera was appointed to serve as a commissioner of the RTA on January 27, 2015. As commissioner of the RTA, he determines policy, oversees the funding, operation, and expansion of public transportation in the City of New Orleans.
He owns over a twenty-five percent interest in IPS of Louisiana Corp (IPS). This company is a distributor of hardware supplies such as fastners, valves, fittings, drill bits, tools etc. Customers contact IPS or walk into your store and purchase supplies. Mr. Herrera does not take customer orders nor handle their purchases. He also has ownership interests in IPS Properties LLC, and IPS Best Bolt and Nut LLC. Customers of IPS and its division, Best Bolt and Nut, might have contracts with the RTA. However, IPS does not maintain contracts with any customers and it is typically unaware on what project the material will be used.

Law:
La. R.S. 42:1111C(2)(d) provides that no public servant and no legal entity in which the public servant exercises control or owns an interest in excess of twenty-five percent, shall receive any thing of economic value for or in consideration of services rendered, or to be rendered, to or for any person during his public service unless such services are neither performed for nor compensated by any person from whom such public servant would be prohibited by R.S. 42:1115(A)(1) or (B) from receiving a gift.
Recommendations:
Grant the withdrawal of the request.
Assigned Attorney: Brett Robinson
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2018-1330- Withdrawal Request
2018-1330 Request for Opinion