NovusAGENDA

Meetings

Louisiana Board of Ethics
LaSalle Building
First Floor - LaBelle Room
JULY 2, 2024
2:30 PM
617 North 3rd Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Note: Meetings begin on July 2, 2024 and continue to July 3, 2024.

Executive Session

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

Discussion in Executive Session regarding charges against Earl B. "Ben" Zahn, III in Docket No. 2022-081.

Discussion in Executive Session of charges pending against Dupre Carrier Godchaux Agency and Sheriff Bobby Guidroz in Docket No. 2022-724.

Louisiana Board of Ethics
LaSalle Building
First Floor - LaBelle Room
JULY 3, 2024
9:00 AM
617 North 3rd Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

GENERAL

Appearances

G1.

Docket No. 24-109
Request the Board reconsider its decision to decline to waive the $3,000 campaign finance late fee assessed against Jay for LA PAC, a political action committee and its committee's chairperson, W. Jay Luneau, in the October 14, 2023 election, whose 30-P campaign finance disclosure report was filed 15 days late.

G2.

Docket No. 24-129
Advisory Opinion request from Michael Reese Davis on behalf of his clients United Healthcare Community Plan and Optum Rx, Inc. in connection to the payment of legal fees to the State's outside counsel contracted with the Office of the Attorney General through a proposed fee award/settlement arrangement.

Consent Agenda and Consent Opinions

G3.	Docket No. 23-581 Withdrawal request for an Advisory Opinion request as to whether Thecla, LLC is prohibited from submitting a proposal to design, implement, manage, maintain, and supervise a single remittance system for the Louisiana Uniform Local Sales Tax Board ("LULSTB").

G4.	Docket No. 23-915 Advisory Opinion Request from Benjamin R. Bell, on behalf of the Housing Authority of Jefferson Parish ("HAJP"), as to whether an HAJP Commissioner may participate in certain matters regarding a lawsuit involving an entity in which that Commissioner serves as an officer.

G5.	Docket No. 24-290 Advisory Opinion request as to whether the Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") permits the Terrebonne Port Commission to purchase land from a company owned by Senator Michael Fesi.

G6.	Docket No. 24-291 Advisory opinion request from Archie Watson, on behalf of the Maintenance Division of the Shreveport Fire Department (the "Maintenance Division"), as to whether the Code of Governmental Ethics (the "Code") permits the Maintenance Division to hire the son of a current employee.

G7.	Docket No. 24-334 Advisory Opinion request from Nicole Dunn, a former employee of the La. Department of Transportation and Development, regarding post-employment restrictions applicable to her employment with Meyers Engineering.

G8.	Docket No. 24-365 Advisory opinion request from Corey Bardwell, as to whether the Code of Governmental Ethics (the "Code") permits him to perform services for a company who does business with the City of Alexandria (the "City") while his father is employed by the City.

G9.	Docket No. 24-377 Advisory Opinion request from Shantell Lee, former employee of the La. Dept. of Education, regarding post-employment restrictions.

G10.	Docket No. 24-382 Advisory Opinion request as to whether the Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") permits Todd Eppley to provide services to Inframark, LLC, following his retirement from the Plaquemines Parish Government.

G11.

Docket No. 24-384
Advisory opinion request from John Cook, on behalf of Vermilion Charter Foundation, a Louisiana non-profit corporation ("VCF"), as to whether the Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics (the "Code") would allow a contractor of VCF to hire the spouse of a VCF board member to provide services to a school which VCF operates.

G12.	Docket No. 24-385 Withdrawal of an advisory opinion request regarding the outside employment of a spouse of a member of the Board of Supervisors of Southern University with a prohibited source.

G13.	Docket No. 24-396 Request for approval of a disqualification plan on behalf of Red River Parish School District regarding the employment Krystle and Fonda Mosely.

G14.

Docket No. 24-470
Advisory opinion regarding whether the Code of Governmental Ethics ("Ethics Code") prohibits the appointment of a doctor to the Tangipahoa Parish Hospital Service District No. 1 d/b/a North Oaks Hospital Board of Directors while the doctor has a contract with the North Oaks Hospital.

Regular Business

G15.	Docket No. MINUTES June 2024 Board Minutes

G16.	Docket No. 22-060 Consent Opinions regarding Donald Cravins Insurance Agency and Charles Cravins, former District Attorney for the 27th Judicial District.

G17.	Docket No. 24LEGIS Consideration of legislation enacted in connection with the 2024 Regular Legislative Session.

G18. WAIVER REQUESTS - CAMPAIGN FINANCE

Docket No. 22-512
Request that the Board waive the $1,000 campaign finance late fee assessed against We Love Terrebonne PAC, a political action committee, its committee's chairperson, Wayne Thibodeaux, and treasurer, Christine Jackson Snapp, whose January 2022 Monthly campaign finance report was filed 5 days late.

Docket No. 22-711
Request that the Board waive a $1,000 campaign finance late fee assessed against Laine P. Landry, Sr., an unsuccessful candidate for Chief of Police, Town of Grand Isle, Jefferson Parish, in the July 11, 2020 election, whose 2020 Supplemental campaign finance disclosure report was filed 245 days late.

Docket No. 24-097
Request that the Board waive the $2,000 campaign finance late fee assessed against the Gulf Coast PAC, a political action committee, its committee's chairperson, Domoine Rutledge and treasurer, D. Stephen Laplace, whose May 2023 Monthly report was filed 10 days late.

Docket No. 24-100
Request that the Board waive the three (3) $2,000 campaign finance late fees assessed against Kenneth Edward Havard, a successful candidate for West Feliciana Parish President in the October 14, 2023, whose 30-P, 10-P & 10-G campaign finance disclosure reports were filed 137, 117 & 82 days late, respectively.

Docket No. 24-142
Request that the Board waive the two(2) $1,000.00 for a total of $2,000.00 campaign finance late fees assessed against Carl Chapman, a successful candidate for Alderman, District 1, City of Marksville, in the October 14, 2023 election, whose 30-P and 10-P campaign finance disclosure reports were filed 46 and 26 days late, respectively.

Docket No. 24-310
Request that the Board waive the $1,200.00 and $480.00 campaign finance late fees ($1,680.00 total) assessed against Latoya Hogan, an unsuccessful candidate for Assessor for St. Helena Parish in the October 14, 2023 election, whose 30-P and 10-G campaign finance disclosure reports were filed 20 and 8 days late, respectively.

Docket No. 24-311
Request that the Board waive the $1,000.00 and $480.00 ($1,480.00 total) campaign finance late fees assessed against Ann Bowman, an unsuccessful candidate for Police Juror, District 2, Jefferson Parish in the October 14, 2023 election, whose 10-P and 10-G campaign finance disclosure reports were filed 47 and 12 days late, respectively.

Docket No. 24-312
Request that the Board waive the $800.00 and $1,000.00 campaign finance late fees ($1,880.00 total) assessed against Dixie Ramirez, a successful candidate for Councilman, District 7, St. John the Baptist Parish, in the October 14, 2023 election, whose 30-P and 10-P campaign finance disclosure reports were filed 20 and 32 days late, respectively.

Docket No. 24-314
Request that the Board waive the $1,000.00, $1,000.00 and $480.00 campaign finance late fees ($2,480.00 total) assessed against Mary A. Giles, an unsuccessful candidate for Police Juror, District 10, Bossier Parish in the October 14, 2023 election, whose 10-P, 10-G and 40-G campaign finance disclosure reports were filed 76, 62 and 12 days late, respectively.

Docket No. 24-315
Request the Board waive the $2,000 campaign finance late fee assessed against Kenneth Stewart, an unsuccessful candidate for Sheriff in East Feliciana Parish, in the October 14, 2023 election, whose 10-G campaign finance disclosure report was 51 days late.

Docket No. 24-338
Request that the Board waive the $780 and $2,000 campaign finance late fees ($2,780.00 total) assessed against Jennifer Murrell Futrell, an unsuccessful candidate for Clerk of Court, Grant Parish in the October 14, 2023 election, whose 30-P and 10-G campaign finance disclosure reports were filed 13 and 100 days late, respectively.

G19. WAIVER REQUESTS - PERSONAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Docket No. 23-1086
Waiver request submitted by Hugh Matthew Andre, former member of the Louisiana Agriculture Finance Authority, regarding a $200 late fee assessed for filing his amended 2021 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 4 days late and a candidate for State Senator / 22nd Senatorial District in the October 14, 2023 election regarding a $400 late fee assessed for filing his amended 2022 Tier 2 candidate pfd 4 days late.

Docket No. 24-201
Waiver request submitted by James Artez Jones, an unsuccessful candidate for Police Juror / District 4 / Jackson Parish in the October 14, 2023 election, regarding a $500 late fee assessed for failing to file his amended 2022 Tier 3 candidate pfd.

Docket No. 24-368
Waiver request submitted by Channing Hamad Washington, successful candidate for Board of Aldermen Town of Marion (Pop. 623) / Union Parish in the November 8, 2022 election, regarding a $500 late fee assessed for filing his amended 2021 Tier 3 candidate pfd 426 days late and regarding a $500 late fee assessed for filing his 2022 Tier 3 annual pfd 175 days late.

Docket No. 24-379
Waiver request submitted by Ernest O'neal Profit, unsuccessful candidate for the Board of Alderman / Town of Richwood (Pop. 3,881) / Ouachita Parish in the March 23, 2024 election, regarding a $500 late fee assessed for filing his 2022 Tier 3 candidate pfd 96 days late.

Docket No. 24-381
Waiver request submitted by John Preston "Buck" Stephen, Jr., Imperial Calcasieu Planning and Development Commission and Cameron Parish Constable for Ward 4, regarding a $400 late fee assessed for filing his 2021 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 8 days late.

Docket No. 24-386
Waiver request submitted by Anita Anderson Harrell, J.K. Haynes Charter School, regarding a $500 late fee assessed for filing her 2021 Tier 3 annual pfd 217 days late and regarding a $500 late fee assessed for filing her 2022 tier 3 annual pfd 217 days late.

Docket No. 24-398
Waiver request submitted by Karen Centanni Hazel, former member of the State Board of Interior Designers, regarding a $550 late fee assessed for filing her amended 2021 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 11 days late.

Docket No. 24-399
Waiver request submitted by Raven Hodges, former member of the Advocates for Innovative Education, Inc, regarding a $500 late fee assessed for filing her 2021 Tier 3 annual pfd 368 days late.

Docket No. 24-400
Waiver request submitted by John B. "Trey" Harris, Louisiana Strawberry Marketing Board, regarding a $550 late fee assessed for filing his 2022 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 11 days late.

Docket No. 24-401
Waiver request submitted by Sally Shushan, Audubon Commission, regarding a $1000 late fee assessed for filing her 2022 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 20 days late.

Docket No. 24-402
Waiver request submitted by William Keith Dennis, Madisonville Town Council (Pop. 850) / St. Tammany Parish, regarding a $500 late fee assessed for filing his amended 2021 Tier 3 annual pfd 34 days late.

Docket No. 24-403
Waiver request submitted by Teryn Bryant, former member of the Baton Rouge University Preparatory Elementary, regarding a $500 late fee assessed for failing to file her 2021 Tier 3 annual pfd.

G20. WAIVER REQUESTS - RECONSIDERATIONS

Docket No. 23-479
Request to reconsider the Board's decision to decline to waive a $2500 late fee assessed against Linda Rasberry Smith, unsuccessful candidate for Caddo Parish School Board / District 7, in the November 8, 2022 election, for filing her 2021 Tier 2 candidate pfd 124 days late.

Docket No. 23-793
Request to reconsider the Board's decision to decline to waive a $2500 late fee assessed against Erika L. Green, former member of the Metro Council / District 5 / East Baton Rouge Parish, regarding a $2500 late fee assessed for filing her 2021 Tier 2 annual pfd 35 days late.

Docket No. 23-957
Request for the Board to reconsider its decision to decline to waive a $2500 late fee assessed against Carlos Luis Zervigon, Member of School Board / District 6 / Orleans Parish, for filing his 2022 Tier 2 annual pfd 47 days late.

Docket No. 23-974
Request to reconsider the Board's decision to decline to waive a $500 late fee assessed against Darlene Francois Riley, candidate for Councilman / District 2 / St. James Parish, in the October 14, 2023 election, for filing her 2022 Tier 3 candidate pfd 46 days late.

Docket No. 24-042
Request to reconsider the Board's decision to decline to waive the $2500 late fee assessed against Clifton Morris, Constable / District 2 / East Feliciana Parish, for filing his amended 2020 Tier 2 annual pfd 351 days late.

Docket No. 24-043
Request to reconsider the Board's decision to decline to waive a $1,050 late fee assessed against Stacey King, former member of the West Feliciana Parish Tourist Commission, for filing her 2021 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 21 days late.