| A request for an advisory opinion, submitted by the Mayor-President of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government, concerning whether the Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics would prohibit Ms. Rideaux's acceptance of the
appointment to the Board of Commissioners of the Lafayette Economic
Development Authority while she is the Administrator of Project Front
Yard. |
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Skyra Rideaux ("Ms. Rideaux") was recently appointed to the Board of Commissioners of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority ("LEDA"). Ms. Rideaux is also presently the Administrator of Project Front Yard, a program administered by the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government ("LCG") and supervised by the Mayor President's Office. Project Front Yard is a program that brings together individuals, businesses, governmental entities, and media partners to address community beautification through education. The mission of Project Front Yard is to build awareness and stimulate improvement of the face of the local community, which it accomplishes through initiatives such as revitalization of gateways, improved streetscapes, litter removal, and prevention public art river cleanup and education.
Each year LEDA donates fifty thousand dollars $50,000.00 to the Community Foundation of Acadiana ("CFA"). CFA then donates this sum to LCG for the express purpose of financing Project Front Yard. Part of this sum is used for Ms. Rideaux's salary as the Administrator of Project Front Yard. The CFA is a tax-exempt, donor-centric, entrepreneurial foundation whose core purpose is building legacies and improving communities by connecting generous people to the causes they care about. CFA is a philanthropic organization benefiting South Louisiana, with a particular focus on the parishes of Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Mary, St. Martin and Vermilion.
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La. R.S. 42:1112A states that no public servant, except as provided in R.S. 42:1120, shall participate in a transaction in which he has a personal substantial economic interest of which he may be reasonably expected to know involving the governmental entity.
La. R.S. 42:1112D states that no appointed member of any board or commission, except as otherwise provided in La. R.S. 42:1120.4, shall participate or be interested in any transaction involving the agency when a violation of this Part would result.
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.
La. R.S. 42:1120.4 provides an exception for appointed members of a board or commission to recuse themselves from voting on matters that violate section 1112 of the Code. The appointed members may not discuss and debate the matter.
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Adopt the proposed opinion.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
LaToya D. Jordan |
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