Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 26-279
 
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RE:
Advisory Opinion regarding whether the Code of Governmental Ethics prohibits transactions between the sister-in-law of the Chief Deputy of the Webster Parish Sheriff Office and the Department.
Facts:
Candi Haynes is the sister-in-law of the Chief Deputy of the Webster Parish Sheriff's Office ("WPSO"), Chief Deputy O.H. "Hank" Haynes, IV." The Webster Parish Sheriff's Office currently procures its health insurance through a local agent. Candi Haynes is considering purchasing the "book of business" from this local agent. This acquisition would include the health insurance policies currently held by WPSO.
Law:
La. R.S. 42:1112B(1) states that no public servant, except as provided in R.S. 42:1120, shall participate in a transaction involving the governmental entity in which, to his actual knowledge, any member of his immediate family has a substantial economic interest.

La. R.S. 42:1113A(1)(a) states no public servant, excluding any legislator and any appointed member of any board of commission and any member of a governing authority of a parish with a population of ten thousand or less, or 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. 42:1102(2)(a)(vi) defines "agency" for public servants of political subdivisions to mean the agency in which the public servant serves, except that for members of any governing authority and for the elected or appointed chief executive of a governmental entity, it shall mean the governmental entity. Public servants of political subdivisions shall include, but shall not be limited to, elected officials and public employees of municipalities, parishes, and other political subdivisions; sheriffs and their employees; district attorneys and their employees; coroners and their employees; and clerks of court and their employees.

La. R.S. 42:1102(19) defines "public servant" means a public employee or an elected official.

La. R.S. 42:1102(13) defines "immediate family" as the term relates to a public servant to mean his children, the spouses of his children, his brothers and their spouses, his sisters and their spouses, his parents, his spouse, and the parents of his spouse.

Recommendations:
Adopt proposed advisory opinion.
Assigned Attorney: Kathryn Rich
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2026-279 - AO - Jason Parker
2026-279 - Advisory Opinion - Parker