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STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> V <br /> pF LopDEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> P. O.BOX 4368 <br /> BATON ROUGE, LA 70821 <br /> °Onri D"C (225)219-5600 <br /> FAX:(225)381-7271 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> www.ethics.1a.gov <br /> January 9, 2024 <br /> R. Gray Sexton <br /> Law Offices of R. Gray Sexton <br /> 8680 Bluebonnet Boulevard, Suite D <br /> Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70810 <br /> Re: Docket No. 2023-1005 <br /> Advisory Opinion <br /> Dear Mr. Sexton: <br /> The Louisiana Board of Ethics, at its meeting on January 5, 2024, considered your request for an <br /> advisory opinion on behalf of your client, Marketa Walters, as to whether the Code of <br /> Governmental Ethics ("Code") prohibits Ms. Walters from becoming employed as the interim <br /> director of Metanoia Manor. <br /> FACTS PROVIDED <br /> Marketa Walters was appointed by Governor Edwards as Secretary for the Department of Children <br /> and Family Services ("DCFS") in 2016. She served in this position until her retirement.on <br /> December 31, 2022. <br /> Metanoia Manor("Metanoia") is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization licensed by DCFS as a Type <br /> IV Residential Group Home, offering services to female adolescent victims of human trafficking. <br /> Metanoia does not have any direct contracts with DCFS. Ms. Walters asks whether she may accept <br /> an employment position as interim executive director at Metanoia. <br /> LAW <br /> La.R.S. 42:1121(A)(1): No former agency head or elected official shall, for a period of two years <br /> following the termination of his public service as the head of such agency or as an elected public <br /> official serving in such agency, assist another person, for compensation, in a transaction, or in an <br /> appearance in connection with a transaction, involving that agency or render any service on a <br /> contractual basis to or for such agency. <br /> La. R.S. 42:1102(3) defines "agency head" as the chief executive or administrative officer of an <br /> agency or any member of a board or commission who exercises supervision over the agency. <br /> La. R.S. 42:1102(16) defines "person" to mean an individual or legal entity, other than a <br /> governmental entity, or an agency thereof <br /> Page 1 of 3 (BD 2023-1005) <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />