Meetings
 
Louisiana Board of Ethics
 LaSalle Building
First Floor - LaBelle Room
OCTOBER 5, 2023
2:30 PM
617 North 3rd Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Note: Meetings begin on October 5, 2023 and continue to October 6, 2023.

Executive Session
Consideration of complaints and reports deemed confidential pursuant to Section 1141 of the Code of Governmental Ethics.

Louisiana Board of Ethics
LaSalle Building
First Floor - LaBelle Room
OCTOBER 6, 2023
9:00 AM
617 North 3rd Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

GENERAL
Appearances
G1. Docket No. 23-192
Untimely waiver request submitted by Alton Joseph Broussard, former member of the State of Louisiana Board of Barber Examiner, regarding a $1500 late fee assessed for filing his 2019 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 637 days late and regarding a $1500 late fee assessed for filing his 2020 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 336 days late.
G2. Docket No. 23-318
Request to reconsider the Board's denial of a waiver request submitted by Jocelyn Renea Austin Duffin,Cancer and Lung Trust Fund Board, regarding a $1500 late fee assessed for filing her amended 2017 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 202 days late and regarding a $1500 late fee assessed for filing her amended 2019 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 202 days late.
G3. Docket No. 23-596
Waiver request submitted by Douglas K. Williams, former member of the Louisiana Trucking Research and Education Council, regarding a $1500 late fee assessed for filing his 2020 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 384 days late.
G4. Docket No. 23-697
Request that the Board waive three (3) $3,000 for a total of $9,000 campaign finance late fees assessed against Capitol Tiger PAC, a political action committee and its committee's chairperson, Tanner Magee, in the October 12, 2019 election, whose 30-P, 10-P and 10-G campaign finance disclosure reports were filed 1,352, 1,332 and 1,297 days late, respectively. AND Request that the Board waive three (3) $3,000 for an additional $9,000 campaign finance late fees assessed against Capitol Tiger PAC, a political action committee and its committee's chairperson, Tanner Magee in the November 3, 2020 election, whose 30-P, 10-P & 10-G were 963, 942 and 912 days late, respectively. Total late fees of $18,000.00
Consent Agenda and Consent Opinions
G5. Docket No. 23-218
Advisory Opinion request from Lafayette Center Development District d/b/a Downtown Development Authority ("DDA"), as to whether the Code of Governmental Ethics would prohibit DDA board members from participating in certain transactions.
G6. Docket No. 23-261
Request to clarify an advisory opinion issued by the Board at its June 2023 meeting as to whether the Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") permits Leah Hood ("Ms. Hood") to obtain outside employment with the Louisiana Mental Health Association.
G7. Docket No. 23-505
Advisory Opinion request from Walt Wilson regarding a member of the Concordia Parish Hospital Service District.
G8. Docket No. 23-523
Advisory Opinion request regarding whether their are any issues under the Code if Roderick Clark MD, past president of the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, accepting a potential position as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.
G9. Docket No. 23-600
Request for an advisory opinion as to whether the Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") prohibits the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board from entering into transactions with the New Wine Development Corporation, Inc.
G10. Docket No. 23-664
Advisory Opinion Request from Brian Spillman, West Feliciana Parish Sheriff, regarding a member of the West Feliciana Parish Council contracting with the Sheriff's Office.
G11. Docket No. 23-665
Advisory Opinion request from Annick Mauroner, former employee of the State of Louisiana, Office of Community Development, regarding post-employment restrictions.
G12. Docket No. 23-668
Advisory opinion as to whether the Code of Governmental Ethics would prohibit the advancement of a substitute employee (substitute teacher, substitute bus driver, substitute paraprofessional) to a full-time permanent support paraprofessional position with the Beauregard Parish School Board ("School Board") while the employee's husband serves as a member of the School Board.
G13. Docket No. 23-669
Advisory Opinion request from Ben Vliet regarding prohibited transactions and post-employment issues.
G14. Docket No. 23-670
Withdrawal of an Advisory Opinion request on behalf of the La. Department of Veterans Affairs, regarding the employment of Keira White at the Southwest La. Veterans Home in Jennings.
G15. Docket No. 23-671
Advisory Opinion request from The Gober Group, on behalf of Fanatics Betting and Gaming ("Fanatics"), as to whether persons holding a sports wagering license may make political contributions.
G16. Docket No. 23-690
Advisory Opinion request from Quincy Richard, employee of St. Landry Parish, related to his ability to serve on a parish hospital board.
G17. Docket No. 23-691
Advisory Opinion request regarding Damon Mitchell, reserve officer for the Bogalusa Police Department, performing camera repair services on the Police Department's camera system.
G18. Docket No. 23-692
Advisory Opinion request from Samuel C. D'Aquilla, on behalf of the West Feliciana Parish Tourist Commission (the "Commission"), as to whether the Commission may pay social media influencers to promote businesses owned by members of the Commission.
G19. Docket No. 23-693
Advisory Opinion Request from Wesley Bishop, former Legislator, and currently employee of the New Orleans City Council, regarding post-employment restrictions involving the Legislature.
G20. Docket No. 23-694
Advisory opinion request regarding whether the Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") would prohibit your participation as a member of the State Civil Board in transactions involving the Department of Transportation and Development, Engineering Division while you are employed with the Engineering Division.
G21. Docket No. 23-695
Advisory Opinion request from Robert Billiot, Sr., Mayor for the City of Westwego, regarding the City contracting with Terracon, an engineering firm, while his son, Robert Billiot Jr., is an employee of Terracon.
G22. Docket No. 23-717
Advisory Opinion request from Rubby Douglas, employee of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness ("GOHSEP"), related to outside employment.
G23. Docket No. 23-723
Advisory Opinion as to whether the Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") would prohibit Jamie Marlbrough's daughter, JuliAnne Naquin AKA JuliAnne David, from being rehired as a dance coach or a substitute teacher with the Lafourche Parish School Board, while she serves as a member of the School Board.
G24. Docket No. 23-724
Request for an advisory opinion regarding whether the Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") permits BAK Collaborative, LLC to contract with the Louisiana Department of Education.
G25. Docket No. 23-731
Advisory Opinion request from Prof. Chris Surprenant, on behalf of University of New Orleans ("UNO"), as to whether a department at UNO may contract with a consulting firm owned by an adjunct professor teaching in a separate department at UNO.
G26. Docket No. 23-747
Request for an advisory opinion regarding whether the Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") prohibits St. Mary Parish Library from employing the daughter of the St. Mary Parish President.
G27. Docket No. 23-748
Advisory opinion as to whether the Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") prohibits members of the Louisiana Key Academy ("LKA") from serving on the board of the Dyslexia Resource Center ("DRC") while DRC has a contractual and/or business relationship with LKA.
G28. Docket No. 23-749
Advisory opinion request regarding whether the Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") prohibits your participation in transactions involving the St. Bernard Parish Fire Department while your husband is employed with the fire department and you serve as a member of the St. Bernard Parish Council.
G29. Docket No. 23-773
Advisory opinion request regarding whether a violation of the Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") would occur if a television network pays for a public servant's travel and hotel expenses to a marketing conference.
G30. Docket No. 23-774
Advisory opinion request regarding whether the Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") prohibits Tommy Budde, a member of the City of Harahan Council, from participating as an evaluator on an Evaluation Committee for a Request for Proposal involving a garbage collection contract.
Disclosure Reports
G31. Docket No. 23-708
PFD Answer regarding whether members of the Louisiana Manufactured Housing Commission are required to file personal financial disclosure statements pursuant to R.S. 42:1124.2.1.
Regular Business
G32. Docket No. MINUTES
September 2023 Board Minutes
G33. Docket No. 19-862
Consent Opinion regarding former St. James Parish Transit mechanic, Klay Becnel, for purchasing automobile and boat parts using parish funds for his personal use.
G34. Docket No. 19-1317
Consent Opinion involving charges against Patrick C. Morrow, Sr., Patrick Morrow, A Professional Law Corporation, and Morrow, Morrow, Ryan, and Bassett, A Louisiana Partnership, involving the representation of Opelousas General Hospital Authority.
G35. Docket No. 21-924
Request for reconsideration of the assessment of the enhanced penalty pursuant to La. R.S. 18:1505.4A(4)(b) for Frank Scurlock, candidate for Mayor, City of New Orleans, in the October 14, 2017 election, for his failure to file a 2019 supplemental campaign finance disclosure report.
G36. Docket No. 22-638
Consent Opinion regarding Rose Jackson, former member of the Shady Grove Recreation District, a part of the Bienville Parish Police Jury.
G37. Docket No. 23-435
Application for Declaratory Opinion, submitted on behalf of the Jefferson Parish Fire Fighters Association - Local 1374 - International Association of Fire Fighters ("Union"), regarding whether the Code of Governmental Ethics prohibits the Union from paying for legal services in connection with the representation of its members in matters before the Civil Service Board while one of its Officers or Trustee serves as an elected member of the Civil Service Board.
G38. Docket No. 23-733
Advisory opinion request concerning the propriety of the Port Barre Police Department receiving donated items from Amazon.
G39.   WAIVER REQUESTS - CAMPAIGN FINANCE
  Docket No. 23-360
Request that the Board waive the three (3) $40, $1,000 and $680 for a total of $1,720 campaign finance late fees assessed against Renita Jackson Graber, an unsuccessful candidate for Member of School Board, District 11 in the November 8, 2022 election, whose 30-P, 10-P and 10-G campaign finance disclosure reports were filed 1, 30 and 17 days late, respectively.
  Docket No. 23-619
Request that the Board waive the $80.00 campaign finance late fee assessed against Tamiko Francis Garrison, a successful candidate for Justice of the Peace, 1st Justice Court, Ascension Parish, in the November 3, 2020 election, whose 2022 Supplemental campaign finance disclosure report was filed 2 days late.
  Docket No. 23-647
Request that the Board waive the $3,000 campaign finance late fee assessed against Ascension Parish Republican Executive Committee, a political action committee, its committee's chairperson, Richard Carmouche, and treasurer, Alvin Bourque, whose 2022 Annual campaign finance disclosure report was filed 58 days late.
  Docket No. 23-696
Request that the Board waive the $760.00 campaign finance late fee assessed against American Federation of Teachers-Solidarity (OP), an other person in the November 8, 2022 election, whose 40-G campaign finance disclosure report was filed 19 days late.
  Docket No. 23-698
Request that the Board waive the $1,600.00 and $3,000.00 campaign finance late fees assessed against Magnolia PAC, a political action committee, its committee's chairperson, Rebecca S. Tassin, and treasurer, William C. Cunningham, in the November 8, 2022 election, whose 30-P and 10-P campaign finance disclosure reports were filed 8 and 18 days late, respectively.
  Docket No. 23-699
Request that the Board waive the $600 campaign finance late fee assessed against LA Associated General Contractors' Construction Industry PAC, a political action committee, its committee's chairperson, Jonathan Kernion, and treasurer, Derrell D. Cohoon, whose February 2023 Monthly campaign finance disclosure report was filed 3 days late.
  Docket No. 23-704
Request that the Board waive the $1,100.00 campaign finance late fee assessed against Melissa R. Henry, a candidate for St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court in the October 14, 2023 election, whose 2021 Annual campaign finance disclosure report was filed 11 days late.
  Docket No. 23-705
Request that the Board waive the $2,500 campaign finance late fee assessed against Jean Paul "J.P." Morrell, a candidate for Council Member at Large, Orleans Parish, and his chairperson, Alex Glaser, for future election, whose 2022 Annual campaign finance disclosure report was filed 73 days late.
  Docket No. 23-706
Request that the Board waive the $1,000 campaign finance late fee assessed against Donald E. Richard, an unsuccessful candidate for Parish Council Member, Dist. 2, Lafayette Parish, in the October 14, 2023 election, whose 2022 Annual campaign finance disclosure report was filed 106 days late.
  Docket No. 23-713
Request that the Board waive the $3,000.00 campaign finance late fee assessed against New Solutions PAC, a political action committee, and its committee's chairperson, Tyler L. Daniel, whose 2022 Annual campaign finance disclosure report was filed 67 days late.
  Docket No. 23-714
Request that the Board waive the $200.00 campaign finance late fee assessed against LA Pest Control PAC, a political action committee and it's committee's chairperson, Jeff Hargrave, whose 2023 Monthly campaign finance disclosure report was filed 1 day late.
G40.   WAIVER REQUESTS - LOBBYING
  Docket No. 23-667
Request to waive the $1,500 late fee assessed against Mary-Patricia Wray for the late filing of the May 2023 Lobbying Expenditure Report.
G41.   WAIVER REQUESTS - PERSONAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
  Docket No. 23-625
Waiver request submitted by Carolyn A. Carter, former member of the Northwest Louisiana Human Service District, regarding a $300 late fee assessed for filing her 2021 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 6 days late.
  Docket No. 23-650
Waiver request submitted by Jarred M. Jupiter, Arise Academy Charter School, regarding a $1500 late fee assessed for filing his 2019 Tier 3 annual pfd 720 days late and regarding a $500 late fee assessed for filing his 2020 Tier 3 annual pfd 123 days late.
  Docket No. 23-709
Waiver request submitted by Calvin Batiste, former member of the Independence Board of Alderman (Pop. 1,635) / Tangipahoa Parish, regarding a $500 late fee assessed for filing his 2021 Tier 3 annual pfd 94 days late.
G42.   WAIVER REQUESTS - UNTIMELY
  Docket No. 20-035
Waiver request submitted by Rana Ismail Ottallah, former member of the Commission for the Deaf, regarding a $1500 late fee assessed for filing her 2017 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 148 days late.
  Docket No. 23-648
Untimely request that the Board waive the $1,600 campaign finance late fee assessed against Bayou Mama Bear PAC, LLC, a political action committee, its committee's chairperson, Laura Rodrigue, and treasurer, Blake J. Arcuri, whose 2022 Annual campaign finance disclosure report was filed 8 days late.
G43.   WAIVER REQUESTS - RECONSIDERATIONS
  Docket No. 22-304
Request that the Board reconsider its decision to decline to waive a $3,000 campaign finance late fee assessed against Kirk PAC, a political action committee, in the October 12, 2019 election, whose 40-G campaign finance disclosure report was filed 33 days late.
  Docket No. 22-938
Request that the Board reconsider its decision to decline to waive the $1,000 campaign finance late fee assessed against Dorothy Ann Watkins, a successful candidate for Member of School Board, District 8, Zachary Community in the November 4, 2014 election, whose 2017 Supplemental campaign finance disclosure was filed 1,839 days late.
  Docket No. 23-097
Request to reconsider the Board's decision to decline to waive a $1500 late fee assessed against James Benedict, former member of the Young Audiences Charter School, for filing his 2019 Tier 3 annual pfd 401 days late.
  Docket No. 23-140
Request to reconsider the Board's decision to suspend all but $450 of a $1500 late fee submitted by John Stone "Chip" Coulter, former member of the Workers Compensation Second Injury Board, for filing his 2021 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 121 days late.
  Docket No. 23-194
Request for the Board to reconsider its decision to suspend all but $350 of a $1500 late fee assessed against Joseph Merritt, Jr., Claiborne Parish Police Jury / District 7, for filing his amended 2020 Tier 3 annual pfd 229 days late.
  Docket No. 23-251
Request a that the Board reconsider its decision to decline to waive the $600 campaign finance late fee assessed against Betty Washington, a successful candidate for Member of School Board, District 7, Calcasieu Parish in the November 8, 2022 election, whose Special (48 Hour) campaign finance disclosure report was filed 20 days late.