1992-088 - Laserfiche WebLink

• ETHICS BOARD OPINION NO. 92 -088 PAGE 7 Sometime prior to February of this year, Governor Edwards advised Mr. Robinowitz of a cattle ranch for sale in New Mexico; Governor Edwards was aware of Mr. Robinowitz's interest in such purchase. A decision was made to travel to New Mexico for the purpose of viewing and evaluating the proposed acquisition and to combine the trip with a snow skiing outing in Snowmass, Colorado. Mr. Robinowitz had access to a private aircraft, owned by Mr. Hemmeter, as well as access to overnight accommodations in Snowmass, Colorado. Arrangements were made for a real estate agent to meet with Governor Edwards and Mr. Robinowitz in New Mexico and to handle the arrangements with respect to the • inspection of the ranch. On the afternoon of Friday, February 7, 1992, Governor Edwards, a companion, Mr. Robinowitz and others traveled by private aircraft from Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Snowmass, Colorado. The next morning, Saturday, February 8, 1992, Mr. Robinowitz and the Governor flew to New Mexico where the day was spent inspecting and surveying ranch property. The Governor's companion and others stayed and skied in Snowmass. On February 9, 1992, the parties returned to Baton Rouge. The Governor has informed the Board that the trip to Snowmass (and to New Mexico) was completely unrelated to the performance of the duties and responsibilities of the Office of Governor of the State of Louisiana and, to the contrary, was strictly for personal, recreational and nongovernmental business. The participants viewed the trip as the combination of a long weekend vacation and a private business trip.