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STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> O4 Loper DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> 9 P.O.BOX 4368 <br /> BATON ROUGE,LA 70821 <br /> CoHFioENc� (225)219-5600 <br /> '••«o»••' FAX:(225)381-7271 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> www.ethics.la.gov <br /> November 10, 2025 <br /> Elizabeth S. Sconzert <br /> Blue Williams, L.L.C. <br /> 1060 'West Causeway Approach <br /> Mandeville, Louisiana 70471 <br /> Re: Louisiana Board of Ethics Docket No.2025-523 <br /> Advisory Opinion <br /> Dear Ms. Sconzert: <br /> 1-he Louisiana Board of Ethics, in its capacity as the Supervisory Committee on Campaign <br /> E inan.re, at its November 7, 2025 meeting, considered your request for an advisory opinion, on <br /> behalfof Clay Madden, Mayor of Mandeville, as to whether the Campaign Finance Disclosure <br /> Act permits NIr. Madden to use campaign funds to pay for expenses related to Washington, D.C. <br /> Mardi Gras. <br /> FACTS PROVIDED <br /> Lee "Clay" Madden currently serves as Mayor of the City of Mandeville. Further, he has filed a <br /> 2024 Annual 'report indicating that he intends to run for office in a future election. Mr. Madden <br /> intends to traw;el to the 2026 Washington, D.C. Mardi Gras event to engage in meetings with <br /> con3tituents, municipal leaders, and legislators. <br /> Mr. TVIadden would like to know if he can use campaign funds for expenses associated with travel, <br /> lodging,meals and other charges incidental to the event. <br /> LAW <br /> La. FI.S. 18:1505.21(1)(b)(i) provides thatt contributions received by a candidate may be used for <br /> any lawful purpose related to(aa)the supporting or nominating the candidate for election to public <br /> Office and (dd) the holding of public office or party position. <br /> La.It.S. 18:1505.2I(1)(b)(ii)provides that contributions received by a candidate may not be used, <br /> loaned or pledged by any person for any personal use of the candidate or a member of his <br /> in:imediate fan ily. <br /> La.R.S. IS:1505.2I(2)(a)(i)(aa)provides that expenses related to the Mardi Gras celebration held <br /> in Washington, D.C. shall not be considered to be personal use by the candidate or by an elected <br /> Ot:ti-ial. <br /> Page 1 of 2 (BD 2025-523) <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />