Board of Ethics public meetings in 2024

Board of Ethics

The Board appointed David Bordelon to the Ethics Administrator position via a civil service detail. The Board also issued multiple advisory opinions on government ethics and resolved several campaign finance late fee disputes.

• Detailed David Bordelon in the Ethics Administrator position (unanimous)
• Assessed $30,000 in penalties to Brandon Robertson for failure to file reports (unanimous)
• Suspended all but $1,000 of Kirk PAC's late fee (unanimous)
• Suspended all but $500 of Jay for LA PAC's late fee (unanimous)
• Suspended all late fees for Craig Hawn (unanimous)
• Suspended all but $3,000 of JAY PAC's late fees (unanimous)
• Ruled that former LSRTBE chairwoman Susan Guarisco is prohibited from employment by LSRTBE for two years (unanimous)
• Reaffirmed decisions to decline fee waivers for John "Randy" Sexton and Lisa Ray Diggs (unanimous)

Board of Ethics

The Louisiana Board of Ethics will hold a two-day meeting starting December 5, 2024, to discuss complaints, charges, and advisory opinions. Key items include a public discussion on charges against Councilman Coby Clavier for receiving compensation from a company with business ties to St. Landry Parish government.

• Public discussion on charges against Coby Clavier for violating ethics code by receiving wages from Coburn Supply Company while it had business with St. Landry Parish (Docket 23-326).
• Reconsideration of a $3,000 campaign finance late fee for Kirk PAC filing a report 33 days late (Docket 22-304).
• Reconsideration of a $3,000 late fee for Jay for LA PAC filing a report 15 days late (Docket 24-109).
• Request to waive $1,500 in late fees for Concordia Parish coroner candidate Craig Hawn (Docket 24-697).
• Request to waive $12,000 in late fees for JAY PAC for reports filed up to 161 days late (Docket 24-773).

Board of Ethics

The Board of Ethics will meet on November 7 and 8, 2024, to consider numerous requests to waive campaign finance and personal financial disclosure late fees. The body will also review advisory opinion requests regarding post-employment restrictions and outside employment for state and local officials.

• Request to waive a $3,000 campaign finance late fee for New Orleans Rising PAC LLC
• Request to waive multiple campaign finance late fees totaling $5,260 for Corey Smith
• Interviews for the position of Ethics Administrator
• Discussion of charges pending against Jeff Landry and Stanton Aviation, LLC (Docket No. 2022-455)
• Review of a proposed report to modernize Louisiana's campaign finance and disclosure system

The Board interviewed five candidates for the Ethics Administrator position to be vacated by Kathleen Allen. No final selection or appointment was recorded in the minutes.

• Interviewed David Bordelon (public)
• Interviewed Matthew McConnell (public)
• Interviewed Scott Whitford (private)
• Interviewed Charles Reeves (public)

Board of Ethics

The Board of Ethics issued several advisory opinions regarding government employment and conflict of interest rules. It also approved multiple disqualification plans and ruled on numerous requests to waive campaign finance and financial disclosure late fees.

• Rescinded $1,000 late fee for Adam Cutrer (unanimous)
• Approved 2025 Meeting Calendar (unanimous)
• Approved disqualification plans for Dr. Luciana Soares/James Alexander, East Baton Rouge Finance Department, and McNeese State University (unanimous)
• Ruled that Catherine M. Coker is prohibited from working for Preferred Mechanical on an LCG contract until February 1, 2026 (unanimous)
• Adopted consent opinions and authorized dismissal of charges for Francis and Priscilla Breaux (unanimous)
• Adopted consent opinion for Darrin Dixon following a $4,000 civil penalty payment (unanimous)
• Declined to waive personal financial disclosure late fees for 21 individuals, including Abby Pugh and Mattie Sampson (unanimous)
• Reduced campaign finance late fees for Kacie Stewart ($400), Patrice Sentino ($600), and others (unanimous)

Board of Ethics

The Board will review numerous advisory opinion requests regarding employment, dual office-holding, and potential conflicts of interest. Additionally, the Board will consider multiple requests to waive campaign finance, lobbying, and personal financial disclosure late fees.

• Advisory opinion on Stephen Landry owning race horses while serving as Executive Director of the Louisiana State Racing Commission
• Advisory opinion on Christopher Huddleston serving as Assistant District Attorney for Lafourche Parish and Town Attorney/Prosecutor for Lockof Port
• Waiver request for a $1,400 campaign finance late fee against Natural Resources Management Association PAC
• Waiver request for a $2,000 campaign finance late fee against Patrice Sentino
• Discussion of charges in Docket No. 2023-417 regarding Cole Norris

Board of Ethics

The Louisiana Board of Ethics will meet over two days to consider dozens of waiver requests for late campaign finance and personal financial disclosure fees, including a $100 fee for Governor Jeff Landry. The board will also discuss pending charges against Jeff Landry and Stanton Aviation, and consider advisory opinions on potential conflicts of interest for public officials and employees.

• Discussion of charges pending against Jeff Landry and Stanton Aviation in Docket No. 2022-455
• Waiver request for $2,900 in late fees for candidate Robert 'Max' Grodner Jr.
• Advisory opinion on whether Drago's Seafood Restaurant can provide food services to visiting NFL teams
• Waiver request for $5,920 in late fees for unsuccessful Monroe mayoral candidate Betty Ward Cooper
• Advisory opinion on whether a Lafayette Housing Authority employee can be a landlord under the Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Board issued several advisory opinions on employment and business conflicts and ruled on numerous requests to waive campaign finance and personal financial disclosure late fees. Most waiver requests were denied, though some fees were reduced or suspended based on future compliance.

• Empowered Chairwoman to accept Ethics Administrator's resignation
• Declined to dismiss consent agreement and civil penalty for Rowdy Gaudet
• Declined to waive $2,500 late fee for Councilman Reddex Lamont Washington, Jr.
• Reduced three late fees for Judge Johnell Matthews to $600 each ($1,800 total)
• Ruled that Drago’s Seafood Restaurant may provide food services to visiting NFL teams
• Suspended $1,800 campaign finance late fee for William R. “Trey” Mustian
• Ruled that LaToya Breaux is prohibited from being an HCV Program landlord while an LHA Case Manager
• Ruled that Acadiana Practitioners LLC may enter a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Health

Board of Ethics

The Board of Ethics issued multiple rulings on the waiver or suspension of campaign finance and personal financial disclosure late fees. The Board also provided several advisory opinions regarding employment restrictions and conflicts of interest for public officials. Additionally, the Board adopted updated rules and forms following the 2024 Regular Legislative Session.

• Suspended $440 late fee for Walter “Wally” Fall (unanimous)
• Suspended $500 late fee for Darlene Francois Riley (unanimous)
• Reaffirmed $2,000 late fee for Atoundra Pierre Lawson (unanimous)
• Declined to waive $1,080 in late fees for Elaine G. Davis (unanimous)
• Ruled that Code of Governmental Ethics prohibits Adam Chauvin from entering an internship agreement with Lafourche Ambulance Service District No. 1 (unanimous)
• Ruled that Code of Governmental Ethics does not prohibit Karen Andrews from employment with Access Sciences Corporation provided she avoids LDEQ’s Office of Management and Finance (unanimous)
• Adopted and approved proposed rules and updated forms following 2024 Legislative Session (unanimous)
• Approved disqualification plan for Jessica Baudoin and Shantel Thomas (unanimous)

Board of Ethics

The Louisiana Board of Ethics is meeting over two days to discuss confidential complaints, litigation, and numerous requests to waive or reconsider campaign finance late fees. The board will also consider advisory opinions on post-employment restrictions and ethics rules for public officials and contractors.

• Reconsideration of $2,000 late fee for Atoundra Pierre Lawson, candidate for District Judge, 40th Judicial District Court
• Consent opinion for former Kenner Mayor Earl B. 'Ben' Zahn III regarding representation by Chehardy Sherman Williams Law Firm
• Advisory opinion on whether a Livingston Parish Sewer District Board member can work for Lard Oil Company
• Waiver request for $2,900 in late fees for Robert 'Max' Grodner Jr., candidate for State Representative
• Discussion of charges against Jeff Landry and Stanton Aviation LLC in Docket No. 2022-455

Board of Ethics

The Board issued several advisory opinions regarding conflict-of-interest and post-employment restrictions. It also processed numerous campaign and personal financial disclosure late fee waiver requests, denying many while suspending others based on future compliance. Two consent opinions involving civil penalties were adopted for publication.

• Adopted consent opinions and $500 civil penalties for Donald Cravins Insurance Agency and Charles Cravins
• Ruled HAJP Commissioner Darin Collins is prohibited from participating in matters relating to Acre Road or MTO
• Ruled the Code of Governmental Ethics does not prohibit Shreveport Fire Dept. from hiring Austin McCollum
• Ruled Nicole Dunn is prohibited for two years from assisting Meyers Engineering on specific DOTD projects
• Ruled a doctor with a contract with North Oaks Hospital cannot serve on its Board of Directors
• Ruled Senator Michael Fesi and Pipeline Construction Maintenance, Inc. may contract with Terrebonne Port Commission
• Declined to render an opinion on United Healthcare Community Plan and Optum Rx attorney fees (Docket 24-129)
• Suspended late fees for Latoya Hogan and Ann Bowman based on future compliance

Board of Ethics

The Board of Ethics will meet on July 2 and 3, 2024, to consider confidential complaints in executive session and review numerous advisory opinion requests. The agenda also includes several requests to waive campaign finance and personal financial disclosure late fees.

• Review of charges against Earl B. 'Ben' Zahn, III (Docket No. 2022-081) in executive session
• Review of charges against Dupre Carrier Godchaux Agency and Sheriff Bobby Guidroz (Docket No. 2022-724)
• Request to waive a $3,000 campaign finance late fee for Jay for LA PAC and W. Jay Luneau
• Advisory opinion request regarding legal fees for United Healthcare Community Plan and Optum Rx, Inc.
• Multiple requests to waive campaign finance late fees ranging from $480 to $2,780

Board of Ethics

The Board of Ethics is meeting to discuss confidential complaints and lawsuits in executive session. The body will consider multiple requests to waive campaign finance, lobbying, and financial disclosure late fees, and provide advisory opinions on ethics code compliance.

• Request to waive $7,000 in late fees for New Orleans Home Builders Association PAC
• Request to waive $2,500 late fee for Elbert Lee Guillory
• Advisory opinion on Terrebonne Port Commission purchasing land from a company owned by Senator Michael Fesi
• Request to waive $2,500 late fee for Tess Percy Stromberg
• Discussion of civil suit Louisiana Board of Ethics v. River Birch, et al, Suit No. 715012

Board of Ethics

The Board issued several advisory opinions on employment and conflict-of-interest rules for public officials. It also denied numerous requests to waive campaign finance late fees and adopted three consent opinions involving civil penalties.

• Declined to waive $2,500 late fee for Harvey White
• Ruled that Matthew Percy may continue as Gonzales City Attorney if his father is interim mayor
• Declined to waive $1,000 campaign finance late fee for Step Up for Action
• Adopted consent opinion for Mark Savoie including $1,000 civil penalty
• Adopted consent opinion for Peter Bowen including $6,000 civil penalty
• Adopted consent opinion for Calena Boullard including $2,500 civil penalty
• Declined to waive late fees for 16 different candidates and PACs
• Waived $200 lobbying late fee for Shuneki Pea-Williams

Board of Ethics

The Louisiana Board of Ethics meets May 2-3 to consider complaints, advisory opinions, and waiver requests. Key items include draft rules on political committee expenditures, legislation from the 2024 session, and numerous campaign finance late fee waivers. The board will also hold executive sessions on confidential complaints and litigation.

• Consideration of draft rules for political committee expenditures (G22)
• Consideration of legislation from 2024 Regular Session (G23)
• Waiver request for $2,500 late fee from candidate Harvey White (G1)
• Consent opinion regarding former New Orleans deputy CAO Peter Bowen (G19)
• Advisory opinion on Westwego Fire Department promotion while father serves as assistant chief (G3)

Board of Ethics

The Board issued numerous advisory opinions on conflicts of interest and post-employment restrictions. It also ruled on various campaign finance and personal financial disclosure late fee waiver requests.

• Approved increase of food and drink limit to $79 per event starting July 1, 2024
• Approved disqualification plan for East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office (Docket 24-107)
• Declined to waive $7,500 and $2,500 late fees for Jeffry Lamonte Sanford
• Suspended all but $850 in late fees for Samuel Pearce III
• Waived $50 lobbying late fee for Caitlin Connors
• Adopted consent opinion for George Shaw with $1,000 civil penalty
• Adopted consent opinion for Brian Pope with no civil penalty
• Concluded Code of Governmental Ethics prohibits Famous Flowers and Gifts from doing business with Stanley and Logansport High Schools

Board of Ethics

The Louisiana Board of Ethics will meet on April 4 and 5, 2024, to consider numerous advisory opinion requests regarding ethics code compliance. The agenda also includes reviewing requests to waive various campaign finance and financial disclosure late fees.

• Request to waive $1,760 in total campaign finance late fees for Samuel Pearce
• Advisory opinion request regarding contract continuation for Mace Bourdegous and Fire & Safety Commodities
• Petition for Rulemaking regarding deceptive AI campaign communications in the Election Code
• Review of various waiver requests for campaign finance late fees, including a $7,500 total request for Jeffry Lamonte Sanford
• Consideration of legislation introduced during the 2024 Regular Legislative Session

Board of Ethics

The Board of Ethics issued several advisory opinions regarding post-employment and contracting rules, including for Governor John Bel Edwards. The Board also ruled on multiple late fee waiver requests for financial disclosures and dismissed charges in two dockets.

• Dismissed charges against Keteral Ducote (unanimous)
• Adopted consent opinion for Shelta Richardson and dismissed charges (unanimous)
• Ruled that Gov. John Bel Edwards' role at Fishman Haygood LLP does not prohibit the firm from assisting executive branch clients (unanimous)
• Ruled that Fishman Haygood LLP may enter contracts with the OCD or Department of Revenue (unanimous)
• Denied late fee waiver for Stacey King (5-1)
• Denied late fee waiver for Douglas K. Williams (unanimous)
• Suspended $500 of campaign finance late fees for Roy Lee Albritton (unanimous)
• Suspended $650 late fee for William E. Willson, Sr. (4-2)

Board of Ethics

The Board will conduct executive sessions to discuss confidential complaints, lawsuits involving campaign funds, and charges against various individuals. The agenda also includes numerous requests for advisory opinions regarding post-employment restrictions and conflicts of interest, as well as several requests to waive late fees for financial disclosures.

• Advisory opinion request regarding Governor John Bel Edwards serving as special counsel for Fishman Haygood LLP
• Waiver requests for various late fees, including $7,500 in total fees for Jeffry Lamonte Sanford
• Discussion of charges against George Shaw (Docket No. 2021-144) and Keteral Ducote (Docket No. 2021-726)
• Advisory opinion regarding BCB Architects LLC contracting with West Baton Rouge School Board
• Review of campaign finance late fee waivers for multiple candidates in Tangipahoa and Jefferson Parishes

Board of Ethics

The Board of Ethics issued several advisory opinions regarding post-employment restrictions and outside employment. It also adopted multiple consent opinions for ethics violations and ruled on campaign finance late fee waivers.

• Instructed staff to draft advisory opinion on post-employment restrictions for Gov. John Bel Edwards (unanimous)
• Ruled that a consulting contract between Public Radio Inc. and Paul Maassen presents no violation (unanimous)
• Ruled that Antiqua Hunter's tutoring and speaking services are not prohibited (unanimous)
• Ruled that Patrick Ottinger's appointment as City-Parish Attorney presents no violation (unanimous)
• Approved disqualification plans for Adam Marcantel and Dr. Glen Gentry (unanimous)
• Adopted consent opinion for Terry Campbell with a $500 civil penalty (unanimous)
• Adopted consent opinion for Michael Arthur with a $1,200 penalty (unanimous)
• Adopted consent opinion for Deanna McGee Carter with a $1,200 penalty (unanimous)

Board of Ethics

The Louisiana Board of Ethics is meeting to discuss confidential complaints in executive session and review multiple advisory opinion requests. The body will also consider requests to waive campaign finance late fees for various candidates.

• Advisory opinion request regarding Governor John Bel Edwards serving as 'special counsel' for Fishman Haygood LLP
• Campaign finance late fee waiver requests, including $2,000 for Chris Guillory and $2,900 for Ronald Richard Denenea, III
• Executive session discussion of charges against Jeff Landry and Stanton Aviation, LLC (Docket No. 2022-455)
• Executive session discussion of charges against Dupre Carrier Godchaux Agency and Sheriff Bobby Guidroz (Docket No. 2022-724)
• Consent opinions regarding ethics violations by Byron Lewis, Gabriel Lewis Photography, and Dr. David Sobek

Board of Ethics

The Board of Ethics decided on multiple campaign finance late fee waiver requests and issued several advisory opinions regarding governmental ethics. It also adopted findings on a declaratory opinion for the Jefferson Parish Fire Fighters Association.

• Suspended all but $2,500 in late fees for Judge Marissa A. Hutabarat (unanimous)
• Declined to waive $720 late fee for Jan Swift (unanimous)
• Suspended all but $500 in late fees for Councilman Gary E. Johnson (unanimous)
• Declined to waive $760 late fee for Kimberly Powers (unanimous)
• Ruled that the Code of Governmental Ethics prohibits the son of the Opelousas Police Chief from working as a reserve officer (unanimous)
• Ruled that Lake Area Adventures may donate services to Calcasieu Parish schools, but the board cannot advertise the donations (unanimous)
• Adopted consent opinions for Jacolby Octave and Nivan Fields (unanimous)
• Reduced late fee for C. Denise Marcelle from $2,500 to $400 (unanimous)

Board of Ethics

The Louisiana Board of Ethics will hold a two-day meeting to discuss confidential complaints, charges against George Carraway and Terry Campbell, and a public hearing on a declaratory opinion for the Jefferson Parish Fire Fighters Association. The board will also consider numerous requests to waive campaign finance late fees and several advisory opinions on potential conflicts of interest for public officials and employees.

• Public hearing on declaratory opinion for Jefferson Parish Fire Fighters Association - Local 1374
• Consideration of charges against George Carraway and Terry Campbell in Docket No. 2018-1180
• Waiver request for $3,800 in late fees against Marissa A. Hutabarat, candidate for Judge, 1st City Court, Section B, Orleans Parish
• Advisory opinion on Governor John Bel Edwards serving as special counsel for Fishman Haygood LLP after leaving office
• Consent opinion regarding Jacolby Octave for improper receipt of funds from Vacherie Volunteer Fire Department No. 1