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Agency Tracking No. 2023-417 <br /> Page9of12 <br /> As a public servant, La. R.S. 42:1112B(3) prohibits Mr. Norris from participating in <br /> transactions involving the Madison Parish Hospital Service District in which his employer had a <br /> substantial economic interest. La. R.S. 42:1120.4 and La. R.S. 39:1233.1 provide a recusal <br /> mechanism to allow a public servant to avoid a violation of La. R.S. 42:1112B(3). However, Mr. <br /> Norris failed to recuse himself from such participation pursuant to La. R.S. 42:1120.4 and La. R.S. <br /> 39:1233.1 and file the required disclosure statements disclosing such recusals pursuant to La. R.S. <br /> 39:1233.1. Therefore, Mr. Norris violated La. R.S. 42:1112B(3). <br /> If this matter proceeded to a public hearing before the Ethics Adjudicatory Board, and the <br /> Ethics Adjudicatory Board found a violation of the Code of Governmental Ethics, the Ethics <br /> Adjudicatory Board could impose a fine of up to $10,000 for each violation of the Code. In this <br /> particular situation, it is the conclusion of the Board that the interest of the public would be served <br /> by, and the parties have agreed to resolving this matter amicably through the publication of this <br /> Consent Opinion with the imposition of a$5,000 civil penalty against Cole Norris. <br />