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Ethics Board Docket No. 2023-996 <br /> Page 5 of 8 <br /> V. <br /> OPINION: <br /> It is the opinion of the BOE that Ryker Anthony and Anthony's Tree Service, L.L.C., <br /> violated La. R.S. 42:1113A(1)(a} of the Ethics Code by virtue of entering into a transaction with <br /> the Town of Kentwood for rendering tree trimming and tree removal services totaling $8,600.00, <br /> when Ryker Anthony's mother,Michelle Anthony,was employed as the Town Clerk for the Town <br /> of Kentwood. <br /> As the Town Clerk for the Town of Kentwood, Michelle Anthony was a public employee <br /> pursuant to La.. R.S. 42:1102(18)and a public servant pursuant to La. R.S. 42:1102(19). Michelle <br /> Anthony's agency was the Town of Kentwood pursuant to La. R.S. 42:1102(a)(vi). As Michelle <br /> Anthony's child, Ryker Anthony is a member of her immediate family pursuant to I,a. R.S. <br /> 42:1102(13). Additionally, because Ryker Anthony holds a one-hundred percent ownership <br /> interest in Anthony's Tree Service, L.L.C., Michelle Anthony has a controlling interest in <br /> Anthony's Tree Service,L.L.C. pursuant to La. R.S. 42:1102{8). Accardingly,Ryker Anthony and <br /> Anthony's Tree Service, L.L.C., were prohibited by La.. RS. 42:1113A(1)(a)from entering into a <br /> transaction under the supervision or jurisdiction of Michelle Anthony's agency, the Town of <br /> Kentwood. <br /> If this matter proceeded to a public hea.ring before the Ethics Adjudicatory Board, and the <br /> Ethics Adjudicatory Board found a violation of the Ethics Code, the Ethics Adjudicatory Board <br /> could impose a fine of up to $10,000 for each violation of the Ethics Code, pursuant to La. R.S. <br /> 42:1153. The Ethics Adjudicatory Board could also impose penalties equal to one and one-half <br /> times the amount of economic advantage gained, in accordance with La. R.S. 42:1155A. <br />