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STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> ,4s*' L u;4 DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> J4,� usr`t''% <br /> ;�_° °19i, LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> m'dto, `:=ill + <br /> I�Ii;,t, , illi� P.O.BOX 4368 <br /> {', s BATON ROUGE,LA 70821 <br /> °NFIOEN pP (225)219-5600 <br /> FAX:(225)381-7271 <br /> September 15, 2017 1-800-842-6630 <br /> 1> www.ethics.la.gov <br /> Camille A. "Cam" Morvant, II <br /> District Attorney <br /> 17th Judicial District, Parish of Lafourche <br /> P.O. Box 431 <br /> Thibodaux,LA 70302 <br /> Re: Ethics Board Docket No.2017-042 <br /> Dear Mr. Morvant: <br /> The Louisiana Board of Ethics, in its capacity as the Supervisory Committee on Campaign <br /> Finance Disclosure, at its September 15, 2017 meeting, considered your request for an advisory <br /> opinion as to whether it is permissible for you, as the District Attorney for the Parish of <br /> Lafourche, to use campaign funds to pay for attendance, lodging and per diems to attend local <br /> and out of state continuing legal education seminars. You stated that you are over the age of 65, <br /> and therefore are exempt from attendance under the guidelines of the Louisiana State Bar <br /> Association. You also stated that, as District Attorney, you still try criminal cases, make all <br /> decisions on major prosecutions in Lafourche Parish, and handle all civil matters in Lafourche <br /> Parish Government and all other political subdivisions in the parish. Finally, you stated that in <br /> light of your professional responsibilities, you feel it necessary to keep up with the latest legal <br /> information. <br /> The Board concluded, and instructed me to inform you, that the Campaign Finance Disclosure <br /> Act does not prohibit you from using your campaign funds to pay for attendance, lodging and per <br /> diems to attend local and out of state continuing legal education courses. La. R.S.18:1505.2I <br /> provides that campaign funds may not be used for any personal use unrelated to the candidate's <br /> campaign or his holding of public office. This Subsection also provides that excess funds may be <br /> used for a future campaign; returned to contributors on a pro-rata basis; given as'charitable <br /> contributions as provided in 26 USC 170(c) or contributions to 501(c)(3) organizations; or in <br /> support of or opposition to a proposition, political party or candidate. The use of campaign funds <br /> to attend continuing legal education seminars appears to be related to the holding of a public <br /> office and is therefore a permissible use of campaign funds. <br /> This advisory opinion is based solely on the facts as set forth herein. Changes to the facts as <br /> presented may result in a different application of the provisions of the Campaign Finance <br /> Disclosure Act. The Board issues no opinion as to past conduct or as to laws other than the <br /> Campaign Finance Disclosure Act. If you have any questions, please contact me at (800) 842- <br /> 6630 or(225) 219-5600. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> UISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> Je ifer ! Land <br /> For the Board <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />