| Advisory opinion request regarding whether the Code of Governmental Ethics would prohibit Kimberly Matherne from accepting a $1,000 honorarium from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation Family Self Sufficiency Research Technical Working Group (TWG). |
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Ms. Matherne stated that she is currently employed by the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services(DCFS) as the Director of Economic Stability. She has been employed by DCFS for the last 28 years. Her division is over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, (SNAP) Quality Control Unit, the Economic Control Unit, the Economic Stability Training Section, the Economic Stability Data and Statistical Unit. She was recently invited to serve on the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation Family Self Sufficiency Research Technical Working Group (TWG). The purpose of the group is to convene a diverse group of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to comment on research presented at the meeting. The Group meets once a year for one to two days in Washington DC. Members of the group receive an honorarium of $1,000 for attendance and reimbursement for travel and accommodations to attend the meeting. There is a three-year commitment.
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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. 42:1111C(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: (d) Neither performed for nor compensated by 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 has or is seeking to obtain contractual or other business or financial relationships with the public servant's agency; conducts operations or activities which are regulated by the public employee's agency; or has substantial economic interests which may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the public employee's official duty.
La. R.S. 42:1102(16) provides that "person" means an individual or legal entity other than a governmental entity, or agency thereof.
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Adopt draft advisory opinion.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Suzanne Mooney |
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