| A request for an advisory opinion, submitted by Patrick J. Hebert (a St. Mary Parish Council member - District 6), concerning whether the Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics prohibits him from purchasing property via a tax sale conducted by CivicSource on behalf of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office. |
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After being elected in a special election, Patrick J. Hebert ("Mr. Hebert") was sworn in a St. Mary Parish Council member for District 6 on August 9, 2017. He stated that he intends to purchase property that is available via an online tax sale through public auction, with CivicSource as the auctioneer.
CivicSource conducts annual online tax sales (referred to as liens) and hosts auctions of adjudicated properties (referred to as deeds). Currently, CivicSource is listing forty-six (46) properties that are available for auction in the Parish of St. Mary. All of the forty-six (46) listed properties have been adjudicated. CivicSource does not currently list any properties to be auctioned during an annual online tax sale for St. Mary Parish and does not advertise a date for an annual online tax sale for St. Mary Parish. According to the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office, properties become available for tax sale in June of the year after the taxes have become delinquent.
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La. R.S. 42:1113A(1)(a) states no public servant, excluding any legislator and any appointed member of any board of commission and any member of a governing authority of a parish with a population of ten thousand or less, or member of such a public servant's immediate family, or legal entity in which he has a controlling interest shall bid on or enter into any contract, subcontract, or other transaction that is under the supervision or jurisdiction of the agency of such public servant.
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Adopt the proposed opinion.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
LaToya D. Jordan |
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