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STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> a of Uis.i. DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> 6P"* ,;: LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> Ii , P. 0 BOX 4368 <br /> °lo' • a' ch 21 2012 BATON ROUGE, LA 70821 <br /> Ob M.IDC .� (225)219-5600 <br /> FAX (225)381-7271 <br /> 0 <br /> Mr. Robert E. Black eth cs state <br /> e la <br /> www.ethics.state.la.us <br /> Director,Natchitoches Parish Library <br /> 450 Second St. <br /> Natchitoches, LA 71457 <br /> Re: Ethics Board Docket No. 2012-100 <br /> Dear Mr. Black: <br /> The Louisiana Board of Ethics, at its March 16, 2012 meeting, considered your request for an <br /> advisory opinion regarding whether the brother of an employee of the library may enter into an <br /> agreement to photograph a construction project at the library. You stated that Kevin Walker is a <br /> local photographer and the brother of Evelyn Hamilton. Ms. Hamilton is employed by the <br /> Natchitoches Parish Library as the Reference Librarian,and she is also involved with the Circulation <br /> Department and checks out books. She is not a member of the administrative staff and is not in a <br /> decision making position. <br /> You further stated that the library would like Mr.Walker to take pictures of the library's new parking <br /> lot construction in light of the fact that there have been complaints from a neighbor that the new <br /> construction would allow water to flood her property. The library would like to maintain a graphic <br /> record of the construction progress. <br /> The Board concluded,and instructed me to advise you,that the Code of Governmental Ethics would <br /> prohibit the library from entering into an agreement with Kevin Walker to photograph the <br /> construction project. La.R.S.42:1113A(1)(a)ofthe Code prohibits public servants,their immediate <br /> family members, or legal entities in which they have a controlling interest, from bidding on or <br /> entering into any contract, subcontract, or other transaction that is under the supervision or <br /> jurisdiction of the agency of such public servant. Ms.Hamilton's agency is the Natchitoches Parish <br /> Library. Her brother is defined as an immediate family member by the Code,thus he is prohibited <br /> from entering into any contract with the library regardless of whether Ms. Hamilton participates in, <br /> or has an oversight of, the contract. <br /> This advisory opinion is based solely on the facts as set forth herein. Changes to the facts presented <br /> may result in a different application of the provisions of the Code of Ethics. The Board issues no <br /> opinion as to past conduct or laws other than Code of Governmental Ethics. If you have any <br /> questions, please contact me at(225) 219-5600 or(800) 842-6630. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> Deidra L. Godfrey <br /> For the Board <br /> :N EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />