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Ethics Board Docket No. 2023-012 <br /> Page 2 of 11 <br /> II. <br /> JURISDICTION: <br /> 1. <br /> The BOE is an agency of the State of Louisiana domiciled in East Baton Rouge Parish, <br /> Louisiana. <br /> 2. <br /> The BOE is authorized to offer a Consent Opinion to Dr. Gerdes by virtue of Section <br /> 1141C(3)(f) of the Ethics Code. <br /> M. <br /> FINDINGS OF FACT: <br /> 1. <br /> The LSBOE was created pursuant to La. R.S. 37:1041 et seq. The LSBOE was established <br /> within the Louisiana Department of Health to regulate the practice of optometry in the State of <br /> Louisiana. The LSBOE consists of six members appointed by the governor of the State of <br /> Louisiana, pursuant to La. R.S. 37:1042A. The LSBOE members elect the Secretary-Treasurer of <br /> LSBOE from among their members,pursuant to La. R.S. 37:1045A. <br /> 2. <br /> Dr. Gerald Gerdes was appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards as a member of the <br /> LSBOE on November 20, 2020. As such, Dr. Gerdes is a"public servant" as defined by La. R.S. <br /> 42:1102(19). LSBOE is the "agency" of Dr. Gerdes as defined by La. R.S. 42:1102(2)(a)(i). Dr. <br /> Gerdes was elected President of the LSBOE by the other the LSBOE members on July 15, 2023. <br /> Dr. Gerdes is still currently serving as a member of the LSBOE, and has been a member of the <br /> LSBOE at all times pertinent herein. <br />