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Ethics Board Docket No. 2022-054 <br /> Page 6 of 9 <br /> V. <br /> OPINION: <br /> It is the opinion of the BOE that Hope Laborde,in her capacity as Administrative Assistant <br /> of the LSBOE, violated Section 111 lA of the Ethics Code by virtue of receiving bonus payments <br /> totaling $2,500. Section 1111A of the Ethics Code prohibits a public servant from receiving <br /> payments for the performance of their job duties, other than compensation and benefits to which <br /> they are duly entitled. Article VII, Section 14(A) of the Louisiana Constitution prohibits the <br /> payment of public funds to public employees as a bonus. Accordingly, violated Section 1111A of <br /> the Ethics Code by virtue of receiving bonus payments for the performance of her job duties to <br /> which she was not duly entitled. <br /> If this matter proceeded to a public hearing before the Ethics Adjudicatory Board, and the <br /> Ethics Adjudicatory Board found a violation of the Ethics Code, the Ethics Adjudicatory Board <br /> could impose a fine of up to $10,000 for each violation of the Ethics Code, pursuant to Section <br /> 1153B of the Ethics Code. The Ethics Adjudicatory Board could also impose penalties equal to <br /> one-and-a-half times the amount of economic advantage gained,pursuant to Section 1155A of the <br /> Ethics Code. In this particular situation, it is the conclusion of the Board that the interest of the <br /> public would be served by, and the parties have agreed to resolving this matter amicably through <br /> the publication of this Consent Opinion with the imposition of a$250.00 civil penalty against Hope <br /> Laborde. <br />