Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 12-1552
 
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RE:
Advisory opinion regarding whether the former President Pro Tem for the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWB), Tommie Vassel and his firm, may perform work for companies that have contracts with the SWB where his wife is employed as a Supervisor for the Disadvantage Business Department of the SWB.
Facts:
Tommie Vassel served on the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWB) from October 2002 until October 2011. From 2006 until 2011, he served as the President Pro Tem of the SWB. His wife works as a supervisor for the Disadvantage Business Department (DBE) at the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWB). The SWB shares reciprocity with the DBE programs at the City of New Orleans, the New Orleans Aviation Board and Harrahs Casino. The DBE designation is granted by an independent Board and none of the agencies have representation on the independent Board. Mr. Vassel is considering applying through the New Orleans Aviation for the DBE status, which would afford his firm the opportunity to be listed as a certified DBE. If granted certification as a DBE , Mr. Vassel's firm would not be guaranteed any contracts. The firm would need to market itself and bid on jobs to secure contracts.
Law:
Section 1121A(1) of the Code prohibits a former agency head, for two years following the termination of his public employment, from assisting another person for compensation in a transaction or in an appearance in connection with a transaction involving his former agency, or from rendering any service to his former agency on a contractual basis. Section 1113 of the Code prohibits a public servant or a member of his immediate family from entering into a transaction that is under the supervision of the public servant's agency.

Section 1121C prohibits the employer of the former public servant from assisting persons for compensation, in any transactions in which the former public servant participated.




Recommendations:
Adopt the proposed advisory opinion.
Assigned Attorney: Aneatra Boykin
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2012-1552- Advisory Opinion Request
2012-1552 (2)