| Advisory opinion request and approval of a proposed disqualification plan regarding the employment of Michael Vicknair and his son, Jacob Vicknair, with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development in District 07, Unit 870. |
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Michael Vicknair and his son, Jacob Vicknair, are employed by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development ("DOTD") in District 07, Unit 870. Neither employee is considered an agency head of Unit 870. Michael Vicknair has been employed as a Ferryboat Operations Supervisor since April 30, 2025, and Jacob Vicknair has been employed as a Ferryboat Deckhand since February 19, 2026. Jacob Vicknair is directly supervised by Natasha Hebert, the Ferryboat Operations Supervisor for Shift 3, and Michael Vicknair is the Ferryboat Operations Supervisor for Shift 1. While Michael Vicknair does not participate in any personnel matters involving Jacob Vicknair, to further avoid any potential violation of La. R.S. 42:1112B(1), DOTD District 07 submits the following proposed disqualification plan for approval in accordance with La. R.S. 42:1112C.
Proposed Disqualification Plan
Michael Vicknair has been and will continue to be disqualified from participating in any and all matters involving the employment of his son, Jacob Vicknair, in DOTD District 07, Unit 870, including but not limited to decisions, recommendations, or approvals regarding pay, performance evaluations, promotions, disciplinary actions, leave requests, assignments, duties, and/or schedules. These matters have been and will continue to be the responsibility of Ferryboat Operations Supervisor Natasha Hebert, and/or District 07 Engineer Administrator Seth Woods.
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La. R.S. 42:1112B(1) provides that no public servant 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. 42:1112C allows a disqualification plan to be developed in accordance with rules adopted by the Board to remove a public servant from participating in transactions that would otherwise present violations of Section 1112 of the Code.
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. 42:1102(2)(a) defines "agency" to mean a department, office, division, agency, commission, board, committee, or other organizational unit of a governmental entity.
La. R.S. 42:1102(3) defines "agency head" to mean the chief executive or administrative officer of an agency.
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Adopt the proposed advisory opinion and approve the proposed disqualification plan.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Jessica Meiners |
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