| Request for an advisory opinion and approval of a disqualification plan from the LSU Agricultural Center ("AgCenter") regarding the appointment of Dr. Todd Tarifa's child, Alyson Tarifa, as a part-time graduate assistant in the Office of Youth Development while he serves as the department head of the Office of Youth Development. |
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The LSU AgCenter operates the Office of Youth Development, which oversees extension activities for youth throughout the State of Louisiana via the 4-H and FFA programs. The Office of Youth Development is headed by Dr. Todd Tarifa who has served as the academic department head for the statewide program since July 1, 2021.
Dr. Tarifa's child, Alyson Tarifa, is pursuing a master's degree at LSU in the College of Agriculture in Extension Administration. The Office of Youth Development wishes to support Ms. Tarifa's academic endeavors by employing her in a part-time position as a graduate assistant within the office.
Duties of the graduate assistant include:
- Assists in creating and implementing a functional marketing strategy for Louisiana 4-H;
- Assists in developing and maintaining adequate social media presence;
- Assists in maintaining and refreshing the Louisiana 4-H Information Hub on Microsoft Teams;
- Assists in ensuring ADA compliance with all electronic documents;
- Assists with the collection of annual, youth participatory evaluations;
- Assists with the operation and management of the 4-HOnline enrollment system,
- Assists with 4-H State Specialists and Instructors with programming efforts; and
- Performs all other tasks necessary to accomplish the responsibilities outlined, such as word processing, excel spreadsheets, data collection, etc.
To avoid any potential violation of La, R.S. 42:1112, the LSU AgCenter has plans to implement the following disqualification plan: Dr. Todd Tarifa is prohibited from participating in any decisions regarding leave requests/approvals, performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, pay increases, promotions, demotions, or any other activity which pertains to Alyson Tarifa's employment with the AgCenter. Any decisions or activity regarding Alyson Tarifa that are normally performed by the department head will be assigned to the LCES Director who is currently Dr. Tara Smith.
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La. R.S. 42:1113A(1)(a) states no public servant…member of such a public servant's immediate family, or 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. 42:1119A provides that no member of the immediate family of an agency head shall be employed in his agency.
La. R.S. 42:1161A provides that every agency head shall file confidential reports with the board or panel on any matters that come to his attention which he believes may constitute a violation of this Chapter which is within the board or panel's jurisdiction.
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Decline to render an advisory opinion, and decline to approve the disqualification plan because the employment is prohibited.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Jessica Meiners |
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