NovusAGENDA

Meetings

Louisiana Board of Ethics
LaSalle Building
First Floor - LaBelle Room
NOVEMBER 7, 2024
9:00 AM
617 North 3rd Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Note: Meetings begin on November 7, 2024 and continue to November 8, 2024.

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
NOVEMBER 8, 2024
9:00 AM
617 North 3rd Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

GENERAL

Appearances

G1.	Docket No. 24-670 Advisory opinion request from Jason Sooter, former Director of Facility Planning and Control, regarding the time limitations of his post-employment restrictions involving his service as a member of the Architects Selection Board.

G2.

Docket No. 24-698
Request that the Board waive the $3,000.00 campaign finance late fee assessed against, New Orleans Rising PAC LLC, a political action committee, its committee's chairperson, Elias Newman, and treasurer, Grace Treffinge, whose 2023 Annual campaign finance disclosure report was filed 169 days late.

Consent Agenda and Consent Opinions

G3.	Docket No. 24-667 Advisory Opinion request from Danny Tullier, an employee of the La. Dept. of Transportation and Development, regarding his son's company providing services to DOTD and/or DOTD vendors.

G4.	Docket No. 24-682 Advisory Opinion request from Tammy Lamy, an elected member of the St. Tammany Parish School Board, regarding her providing tutoring services to students in St. Tammany Parish.

G5.	Docket No. 24-700 Advisory opinion request concerning whether Catherine Creamer may continue to serve as Natchitoches Parish Human Resource Director while her husband Joey Creamer serves as the Interim Public Works Director for Natchitoches Parish.

G6.	Docket No. 24-709 Advisory opinion request from Glenn Mentel, employee of Division of Administrative Law, related to outside employment.

G7.	Docket No. 24-732 Advisory Opinion request as to whether the Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") permits Roxanne Adams to serve as the Clerk of Council for St. Bernard Parish Governmental while also serving as the secretary of the St. Bernard Parish Fire Civil Service Board.

G8.

Docket No. 24-734
Advisory Opinion request from Harry St. Pierre, Jr. as to whether the Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") prohibits him from accepting a position with Hunt Guillot and Associates following his retirement from the East Baton Rouge Mayor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

G9.	Docket No. 24-736 Advisory opinion regarding whether the Code of Governmental Ethics (Code) prohibits Holly Hughes, a Livingston Parish Library (LPL) employee, from donating her services to her agency.

G10.	Docket No. 24-737 Disqualification plan proposed by Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) District 3 engineering employees, Zachary and Troy Ardoin.

G11.	Docket No. 24-738 Advisory Opinion request, as to whether the Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") permits Heather Darby and Layne Darby to continue employment with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development ("DOTD") District 03, Unit 071, and approval of disqualification plan.

G12.	Docket No. 24-739 Disqualification Plan request for Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development ("DOTD"), to approve a plan to allow DOTD employee Eric Dauphine, the brother of DOTD employee Brook Dauphine, to recuse himself from any matters relating his sister's employment.

G13.	Docket No. 24-745 Advisory Opinion request regarding whether the Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") permits the employment of Alicia Powell at Jena High School while her husband serves as Principal of Jena High School.

Disclosure Reports

G14.	Docket No. 24-743 PFD Answer submitted by Phillip Harris on behalf of Roger Dale Harris, former Constable / Ward 3 / Mooringsport / Caddo Parish, regarding NOD-Amends received for his 2021 and 2022 Tier 3 annual pfd; and, a NOD-FTF his 2023 Tier 3 annual pfd.

Regular Business

G15.	Docket No. MINUTES October 2024 Board Minutes

G16.	Docket No. 21-166 Consideration of the assessment of the enhanced penalty pursuant to La. R.S. 18:1505.4A(4)(a) and (b) for Joseph Lockett, Sr., candidate for Sheriff, Allen Parish, in the October 12, 2019 election, for his failure to file a 10-P and 10-G campaign finance disclosure report.

G17.

Docket No. 21-1014
Consideration of the assessment of the enhanced penalty pursuant to La. R.S. 18:1505.4A(4)(a) and (b) for Rickey Dale Thomas, candidate for City Marshal, City Court of Bunkie, in the November 3, 2020 election, for his failure to file 30-P, 10-P and 10-G campaign finance disclosure reports.

G18.

Docket No. 22-223
Request the Board reconsider the assessment of the enhanced penalty pursuant to La. R.S. 18:1505.4A(4)(b) for Corey Smith, candidate for Metro Council, District 6, East Baton Rouge Parish, in the November 3, 2020 election, for his failure to file a 10-G campaign finance disclosure report.

G19.

Docket No. 24-755
Request that the Board waive the (2) $2,000 and $2,000 campaign finance late fees assessed against Corey Smith, an unsuccessful candidate for Councilman, Metro District 12, East Baton Rouge Parish, in the November 8, 2016 election, whose 10-P & 10-G campaign finance disclosure reports were filed 436 and 406 days late, respectively. AND Request that the Board waive the (3) $2,000.00, $1,260 and, $2,000 campaign finance late fees (total $5,260.00) assessed against Corey Smith, an unsuccessful candidate for Councilman / Metro District 6 in the November 3, 2020 election, whose 30-P, 10-P (inaccurate filing), and 10-G campaign finance reports were filed 21, 365 & 1,325 days late, respectively.

G20.	Docket No. 23-346 Consent Opinion regarding Darren Bennett and Bennett's Towing & Recovery Inc. entering into transactions with the Tangipahoa Parish School Board Transportation Department.

G21.

Docket No. 23-659
Consent opinion regarding Linda Johnson's receipt of compensation from GEO Foundation for services rendered to the GEO Academies EBR charter school while she served as a member of the charter school board, and GEO Foundation had a contractual relationship with the charter school board.

G22.	Docket No. 24-383 Consideration of an opinion rendered by the Attorney General's Office that the Board should redact the home address disclosed by state employees on annual personal financial disclosure statements filed pursuant to La. R.S. 42:1124.

G23.	Docket No. 24-735 Advisory Opinion request from Caddo Parish Schools as to the application of Act 492 of the 2024 Legislative Session regarding tutoring services.

G24.	Docket No. CFRule Consideration of amendments to the Rules for the Louisiana Board of Ethics (LAC 52:I) regarding the processing of campaign finance complaints.

G25.	Docket No. Rules Review or Chapters 1-7 of the Rules for the Louisiana Board of Ethics (LAC 52:I).

G26.

Docket No. EFStudy
Draft of proposed report regarding the Board of Ethics' findings and recommendations after conducting an investigation and analysis of the best practices in other states that could be used to modernize Louisiana' campaign finance and disclosure system, including a review of technological systems that could be implemented in Louisiana.

G27. WAIVER REQUESTS - CAMPAIGN FINANCE

Docket No. 24-677
Request that the Board waive the $3,000 campaign finance late fee assessed against People For a Great Louisiana PAC - IE, a political committee and chairperson, Caroline Roemer, whose 10-G campaign finance disclosure report was filed 24 days late.

Docket No. 24-697
Request that the Board waive the $1,140.00 and $360.00 campaign finance late fees ($1,500.00 total) assessed against Craig Hawn, an unsuccessful candidate for Coroner for Concordia Parish, in the October 14, 2023 election, whose 30-P and 10-G campaign finance disclosure reports were filed 19 and 6 days late, respectively.

Docket No. 24-716
Request that the Board waive a $60.00 campaign finance late fee assessed against Derrick Shepherd, an unsuccessful candidate for Member of School Board, District 5, Jefferson Parish in the November 8, 2022 election, whose 2023 Supplemental campaign finance disclosure report was filed 1 day late AND Request that the Board waive a $60.00 campaign finance late fee assessed against Derrick Shepherd, a successful candidate for Councilman, District 3, Jefferson Parish, in the October 14, 2023, whose 2023 Supplemental campaign financedisclosure report was 1 day late.

Docket No. 24-740
Request that the Board waive the $3,000.00 campaign finance late fee assessed against Citizens for Good Taxes, a political action committee, its committee's chairperson, Ashton Broussard, and treasurer, Amber Trahan, in the March 23, 2024 election, whose 10-G campaign finance disclosure report was filed 36 days late.

Docket No. 24-752
Request that the Board waive a $420.00 campaign finance late fee assessed against Thomas "Tom" Kliebert, Jr., a successful candidate for District Judge, 23rd Judicial District Court, ES 2, Div. B, Ascension Parish, in the November 4, 2014, whose 2023 Supplemental campaign finance disclosure report was filed 7 days late.

Docket No. 24-753
Request that the Board waive the $1680.00 campaign finance late fee assessed against,Vance Olivier, a successful candidate for Chief of Police, City of Broussard, Lafayette & St. Martin Parishes, in a future election, whose 2023 Annual campaign finance disclosure report was filed 28 days late.

Docket No. 24-754
Request the Board waive the $1,000 campaign finance late fee assessed against Clayton J. Voisin, Jr., a successful candidate for Council Member, District 3, Terrebonne, Parish, in the October 14, 2023 election, whose 2023 Supplemental campaign finance disclosure report was filed 202 days late.

Docket No. 24-756
Request that the Board waive the $1,000.00, $840.00 and $520.00 campaign finance late fees ($2,360.00 total) assessed against Travis Herrington, an unsuccessful candidate for Police Juror, District E, Rapides Parish, in the October 14, 2023 election, whose 30-P, 10-P and 10-G campaign finance disclosure reports were filed 40, 21 and 13 days late, respectively.

G28. WAIVER REQUESTS - PERSONAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Docket No. 24-678
Waiver request submitted by Suzanne Loeb Miller, Lakeview Crime Prevention and Improvement District, regarding a $1500 late fee assessed for filing her amended 2022 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 149 days late.

Docket No. 24-679
Waiver request submitted by Brandon Lee Brener, St. Tammany Parish Fire District #8, regarding a $1500 late fee assessed for filing his 2020 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 733 days late.

Docket No. 24-680
Waiver request submitted by Frank J. Divittorio, Hammond Downtown Development District, regarding a $250 late fee assessed for filing his 2022 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 5 days late.

Docket No. 24-686
Waiver request submitted by Stephen P. Kantrow, Louisiana Cancer and Lung Trust Fund Board, regarding a $550 late fee assessed for filing his 2022 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 11 days late.

Docket No. 24-690
Waiver request submitted by Alex Baker, III, LeCompte Board of Alderman /Rapides Parish, regarding a $150 late fee assessed for filing his 2022 Tier 3 annual pfd 6 days late.

Docket No. 24-691
Waiver request submitted by Frank B. Arnemann, Jr., Kenner Naval Museum Commission, regarding a $650 late fee assessed for filing his 2022 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 13 days late.

Docket No. 24-693
Waiver request submitted by Ralph William Johnson, New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board, regarding a $1500 late fee assessed for filing his 2022 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 139 days late.

Docket No. 24-694
Waiver request submitted by Walter Lee Arceneaux, Lafayette Parish Planning & Zoning Commission, regarding a $50 late fee assessed for filing his amended 2019 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 1 day late.

Docket No. 24-711
Waiver request submitted by Paul P. Matthews, Board of Supervisors of Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, regarding a $1500 late fee assessed for filing his 2022 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 32 days late.

Docket No. 24-741
Waiver request submitted by Kirk William Dickson, Workforce Development Board, Seventh Planning District Consortium, regarding a $1500 late fee assessed for filing his 2021 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 512 days late.

Docket No. 24-742
Waiver request submitted by John D. Smith, Sr., Alderman / Town of Sarepta / Webster Parish, regarding a $500 late fee assessed for filing his 2022 Tier 3 annual pfd 260 days late.

Docket No. 24-744
Waiver request submitted by Lem Thomas, Bunkie Board of Alderman / District 2 / Avoyelles Parish, regarding a $500 late fee assessed for filing his 2022 Tier 3 annual pfd 113 days late.

Docket No. 24-757
Waiver request submitted by James Michael Chamlee, Workforce Development Board, Seventh Planning District Consortium, regarding a $1500 late fee assessed for filing his 2022 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 126 days late.

Docket No. 24-758
Waiver request submitted by Scott Antoine Bernard, Erath Board of Alderman / Vermilion Parish, regarding a $500 late fee assessed for filing his 2019 Tier 3 annual pfd 152 days late and regarding a $500 late fee assessed for filing his 2022 Tier 3 annual pfd 313 days late.

Docket No. 24-759
Waiver request submitted by Michelle Michelet Verdigets, State Board of Examiners of Interiors Designers, regarding a $1500 late fee assessed for failing to file her amended 2022 Tier 2.1 annual pfd.

G29. WAIVER REQUESTS - SCHOOL BOARD DISCLOSURE

Docket No. 24-695
Waiver request submitted by Brandon "B.J." Delshawn Johnson, Ouachita Parish School Board, regarding a $1500 late fee assessed for failing to file his 2023 School Board Disclosure.

G30. WAIVER REQUESTS - UNTIMELY

Docket No. 24-687
Untimely waiver request submitted by Brian Charles Aucoin, Maxine Giardina Charter School, regarding the $500 late fee assessed for failing to file his 2021 Tier 3 annual pfd.

Docket No. 24-689
Untimely waiver request submitted by Michael L. Gore, Louisiana Municipal Gas Association, regarding a $1400 late fee assessed for filing his 2022 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 28 days late.

Docket No. 24-692
Untimely waiver request submitted by Ken Todd DeMoss, Bayou D'Arbonne Lake Watershed District, regarding a $1500 late fee assessed for filing his 2022 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 256 days late.

G31. WAIVER REQUESTS - RECONSIDERATIONS

Docket No. 24-180
Request that the Board reconsider its decision to decline to waive the $1,000.00 campaign finance late fee assessed against Emily Fenet Parker, in her capacity as an unsuccessful candidate for Police Juror, District 8, Calcasuieu Parish, in the October 14, 2023 election, whose 10-G campaign finance disclosure report was filed 33 days late.