2025-557 - Laserfiche WebLink

STATE OF LOUISIANA ��N LO(rc�r DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE y��;;�., �,, �9� LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS 'y p ., P.O.BOX 4368 * * BATON RcOUGnE,cLcA 70821 C�NFIDENG�' �ZZJ�Z�J-JVOO �••«o»••' FAX:(225)381-7271 1-800-842-6630 www.ethics.la.gov January 12, 2026 Dr. Gary LaFleur Nicholls Biology P.O. Box 2021 Thibodaux, LA 70310 Re: Docket No. 2025-557 Advisory Opinion Dear Dr. LaFleur: The Louisiana Board of Ethics (`Board"), at its meeting on January 9, 2026, considered your request for an advisory opinion on behalf of the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary Foundation ("BTEF")as to whether the Code of Governmental Ethics("Code")permits BTEF to pay a student worker at the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program to help with events hosted by BTEF. FACTS PROVIDED Tl�e Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (`BTNEP") is a governmental agency under the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium("LUMCON")and the Louisiana Board of Regents at the state level and the EPA at the federal level. The Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary Foundation (`BTEF") is a 501(c)(3) organization that assists BTNEP by receiving grants, fundraising, and helping to administer funds for several projects that address and support BTNEP's mission. You ask whether BTEF can pay a BTNEP student worker for rendering services on a short-term contract of one month or less to help BTEF organize and present events that BTEF will host, such as the White Boot Gala and the Bayou Lafourche Paddle Trip. Law La. R.S.42:1111C(2): No public servant and no legal entity in which the public servant exercises control or owns an interest in excess of twenty-five percent, shall receive any thing of economic value for or in consideration of services rendered, or to be rendered, to or for any person during his public service unless such services are: (d)Neither performed for nor compensated by any person from whom such public servant would be prohibited by R.S. 42:1115(A)(1) or (B) from receiving a gift. La. R.S. 42:1115A: No public servant shall solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any thing of econoinic value as a gift or gratuity from any person or from any officer, director, agent,. or employee of such person, if such public servant knows or reasonably should know that such person, if such public servant knows or reasonably should know that such person: Page 1 of 3 (BD 2025-557) AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER