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STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> "" <br /> j'i DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> (\�\\ LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> r1+;i P.O.BOX 4368 <br /> �, BATON ROUGE,LA 70821 <br /> \ -41 / (225)219-5600 <br /> .!! ,,o° <br /> FAX:(225)381-7271 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> www.ethics.state.la.us <br /> February 23,2015 <br /> Mr.Benjamin Clapper <br /> Executive Director <br /> Louisiana Right to Life Educational Committee <br /> 7121 Catina St. <br /> New Orleans,Louisiana 70124 <br /> Re: Board Docket No.2015-041 <br /> Dear Mr. Clapper: <br /> The Louisiana Board of Ethics,at its February 20,2015 meeting,considered your request for an <br /> advisory opinion regarding whether the Code of Governmental Ethics (Code)would prohibit newly <br /> elected,District 8,Representative Mike Johnson from continuing to provide legal services to Louisiana <br /> Right to Life Educational Committee,Inc. once he takes office. <br /> You provided that your organization has contracted to retain Mike Johnson as its"legal counsel <br /> and Regional Director for North Louisiana" since April 2, 2013. Mr. Johnson was elected State <br /> Representative for District 8 by virtue of qualifying unopposed for the February 21, 2015 election.You <br /> stated that the Louisiana Right to Life Educational Committee,Inc.employs a registered lobbyist.Mr. <br /> Johnson has in the past provided legal opinions regarding lobbying issues for the Louisiana Right to Life <br /> Educational Committee, Inc. <br /> The Board concluded,with Board member Blewer abstaining,and instructed me to inform you <br /> that the Code would prohibit Mr.Johnson,andhis law firm,from receiving a thing of economic value <br /> from the Louisiana Right to Life Educational Committee,Inc.for any services provided to assist them <br /> in any transaction with the legislative branch of government, once Mr. Johnson is sworn into the <br /> Louisiana Legislature. Section 1111E(1)of the Code prohibits a public servant and any legal entity of <br /> which the public servant is an employee from receiving "any thing of economic value for assisting a <br /> person in a transaction or in an appearance in connection with a transaction with the agency of such <br /> public servant."Therefore,Mr.Johnson and his firm are prohibited from receiving anything of economic <br /> value from Louisiana Right to Life Educational Committee,Inc.for any service related to lobbying his <br /> agency,the Louisiana Legislature. <br /> This advisory opinion is based solely on the facts as set forth herein. Changes to the facts <br /> presented may result in a different application of the provisions of the Code of Ethics. The Board <br /> issues no opinion as to past conduct or laws other than Code of Governmental Ethics. If you have <br /> any questions,please contact me at(225)219-5600 or(800) 842-6630. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> uzanne Quinlan Mooney <br /> For the Board <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />