| Advisory opinion request regarding whether Stephanie Cormane's family business Cormane's Sewer Systems LLC may transact business with Northwestern State University while she is employed in the Accounting and Reporting Department at Northwestern State University. |
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Ms. Cormane and her husband own Cormane's Sewer Systems LLC, a small business located in Natchitoches Parish. Cormane's Sewer Systems LLC pumps and cleans sewer systems and grease traps. Cormane's Sewer Systems LLC is the only business in the Parish that offers both services. Stephanie Cormane provided that she is not directly involved in the business. She does not procure any business for the LLC. Cormane's Sewer Systems LLC provided services prior to her employment to the Northwestern State University physical plant and the golf course. These services were not under a contract but on an as needed basis. Once the services are rendered an invoice is issued by Cormane's Sewer Systems LLC to Northwestern University. That invoice goes to the accounts payable department then to Ms. Cormane's department, the accounting and reporting department.
She has been employed with Northwestern State University as an accounting tech in the accounting and reporting department since June of 2021. As an accounting tech the only interaction she would have if Cormane's Sewer Systems LLC rendered services to Northwestern State University is to verify the invoice that comes in the mail and place the payment in the mail. She has an agreement with her supervisor that she will not open or process any mail from the LLC. Her Department does not utilize any of the services provided by the LLC, and, therefore, would never call for sewer or grease trap services.
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La. R.S. 42:1113A states no public servant, or a member of such a public servant's immediate family, or a legal entity in which he has a controlling interest shall bid on or enter into any contract, subcontract or other transaction that is under the supervision or jurisdiction of the agency of such public servant.
La. R.S. 42:1102 (2)(a)(i) defines "agency" to mean a department, office, division, agency, commission, board, committee, or other organizational unit of a governmental entity.
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Adopt draft advisory opinion.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Suzanne Mooney |
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