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STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> G�oF LOU DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> Y ON JUS f�f <br /> ����/� �� �,�°�'��, LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> `� � U�„� � P.O. BOX 4368 <br /> * �' � * BATON ROUGE,LA 70821 <br /> �oNF,oENc� (225)219-5600 <br /> �•«o«-�' FAX:(225)381-7271 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> www.ethics.la.gov <br /> June 9, 2024 <br /> Jeremy Hidalgo <br /> 414-C Mermentau Road <br /> Youngsville, Louisiana 70592 <br /> Re: Docket No. 202.5-188 <br /> Advisory Opinion <br /> Dear Mr. Hidalgo: <br /> The Louisiana Board of Ethics,at its June 6,2025 meeting,considered your request for an advisory <br /> opinion regarding whether the Code of Governmental Ethics prohibits vendors of the Lafayette <br /> Parish School Board from sponsoring customer appreciation nights at a bar ow�ned by you while <br /> you serve as a member of the Lafayette Parish School Board. <br /> FACTS PROVIDED <br /> You stated that you are a member of the Lafayette Parish School Board. You are also a local <br /> business owner that operates a bar. In the past, you have partnered with other local businesses that <br /> have volunteered to cook meals and sponsor a limited bar tab for customers. These are customer <br /> appreciation nights that are held monthly and open to the public. This is accomplished by either <br /> cooking onsite or catering meals. When food is sponsored, no payment is made to you or your <br /> company; the sponsar simply provides the food. The sponsor may also underwrite a bar tab with <br /> a set budget. Any guest present may order drinks within the limit of the bar tab. When drinks are <br /> sponsored, the sponsor pays your company directly as the drinks are served by your company. <br /> The events are publicly promoted through social media, word of mouth, and in-person <br /> conversations with patrons. There is no charge for attendance and no restriction on attendance. <br /> The businesses get the publicity of being a sponsor and usually have one or more representatives <br /> present to greet customers. Some of the local businesses also do business with the Lafayette Parish <br /> School Board. <br /> LAW <br /> La R.S. 42:1115A. No public servant shall solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any thing of <br /> economic value as a gift or gratuity from any person or from any officer, director, agent, or <br /> employee of such person, if such public servant knows or reasonably should know that such <br /> person: <br /> Page 1 of 2 (BD 2025-188) <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />