Louisiana state seal Louisiana Ethics Administration Program
Home Charges Search EAB Decisions Search
STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> OF LOtrr DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> �woN � S"s9 LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> ��J,'��'v k\ �� <br /> P. O. BOX 4368 <br /> * � � * BATON ROUGE, LA 70821 <br /> `�°NnorN°� (225)219-5600 <br /> ••«o»-�• FAX:(225)381-7271 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> www.ethics.la.gov <br /> March 9, 2026 <br /> l�rancis W. Dorsey <br /> 413 E?verette Street <br /> New iberia, Louisiana 70563 <br /> Re: Docket No. 2026-007 <br /> Advisor,y Opinion <br /> Dear Mr. Dorsey: <br /> 'The Louisiana Qoard of Ethics(`Board"),at its meeting on March 6, 2026,considered your rec�uest <br /> f��r an advisory opinion as to whether the Louisiana Code of Governmental F..,tllics per���its you to <br /> serve as a compensated presidEnt of a nonprof��t advocacy organization while simultaneously <br /> serving as an elected member of�tlle Ibe�•ia Republican Parish Executive Coinmittee. <br /> FACTS PROVIDF,D <br /> You are an elected At-I_,a�•ge Member of the Iberia Republican Parish Executive Committee in <br /> Iberia Parish, Louisiana, which is an unpaid political party office and not a �overnmental <br /> employn�cnt position. <br /> You have been asked to assume the position of President of the Cannabis Council of Louisiana, <br /> whicl� is a nonpi•o�l�it advocacy organization. As President, you would receive a inodest monthly <br /> stipend. r[�he Cannabis Council ofi Louisiana engages in public education and advocacy relatec� to <br /> I�ouisiana's medica) cannabis policy but does not award contracts, issue pe�•mits, or regulate <br /> govcrnmental activity. <br /> The Ibei7a Rcpublican Parish r�xecutive Commititee does i�ot exercise gqvernmental authority, <br /> conirol pu�lic funds, ol•regulate or oversee cannabis policy, lieensing, or e,nforeeineut. <br /> You ask whether serving as a compensated pi-esident of a nonprofit advocacy organization wl�ile <br /> siinulta�leoL�sly serving as a.n unpaid elected member c�t a parish executive committee violates any <br /> provision of the Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics? You also ask whether you would b� <br /> subjcct to any disclosurc, recusal, or other coinpliance requirements under the Gode oi� <br /> Gover�nmental Cthics i�C you lZold both positions. <br /> L�,w <br /> La. It.S. 42:1102(9) de�Cznes "elected ofticial" to inean any person holding an ofi�ice in a <br /> governmental entity which is �filled by the vote of the appropriate electora.te. it shall also include <br /> any persor� appoiilted to 1�i11 a vacancy in sucl� otfices. <br /> La. R.S. 42:1 l02(12) defines "governmental entity"to mean the state or any political subdivision <br /> Page 1 of 2 (BD 2026-007) <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUN/TY EMPLOYER <br />