| Advisory
opinion request regarding whether the Code of Governmental ethics prohibits the
post-employment of the former Chief Operating Officer for Jefferson Parish
Government. |
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Steven LaChute retired from Jefferson Parish Government on
January 16, 2026. His position for the last 6 years was the second in command
Chief Operating Officer who reports to the Parish President on the
administrative side of Parish Government.
Mr. LaChute would like to know whether he is allowed to
assist current or prospective Parish vendors in lobbying the Parish Council on
any future projects, such as land use matter or professional service selection.
He would also like to know whether he is allowed to assist any current or
prospective Parish vendors requiring Council approval for selection with
lobbying to modify any current contract they currently hold.
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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(3) defines
"agency head" to mean the chief executive or administrative officer of an
agency or any member of a board or commission who exercises supervision over
the agency.
La.
R.S. 42:1102(15) defines "person" to mean an individual or legal entity
other than a governmental entity, or an agency thereof.
La. R.S.
42:1102(17)(a) defines "public employee" to mean anyone, whether compensated
or not, who is:
(i) An administrative officer or official of a
governmental entity who is not filling an elective office.
(ii) Appointed by any elected official when
acting in an official capacity, and the appointment is to a post or position
wherein the appointee is to serve the governmental entity or an agency thereof,
either as a member of an agency, or as an employee thereof.
(iii) Engaged in the performance of a
governmental function.
(iv) Under the supervision or authority of an
elected official or another employee of the governmental entity.
La.
R.S. 42:1102(18) defines
"public servant" means a public employee or an elected official.
La. R.S.
42:1121A(1) provides no former agency head or elected official shall, for a
period of two years following the termination of his public service as the head
of such agency or as an elected public official serving in such agency, assist
another person, for compensation, in a transaction, or in an appearance in
connection with a transaction, involving that former agency or render any
service on a contractual basis to or for such agency.
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Adopt the proposed advisory opinion.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Kathryn Rich |
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