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STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> ',m DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> ,,����OE LOp sl9�_ <br /> ,. „ �, LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> ui', .ir1 P.O.BOX 4368 <br /> _ °�,L, BATON ROUGE,LA 70821 <br /> (225)219-5600 <br /> FAX:(225)381-7271 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> www.ethics.la.gov <br /> April 30, 2018 <br /> • <br /> Ms. Brenda M. Breaux <br /> Executive Director <br /> New Orleans Redevelopment Authority <br /> 1409 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. <br /> New Orleans, LA 70113 <br /> Re: Ethics Board Docket No. 2018-057 <br /> Dear Ms. Breaux: <br /> The Louisiana Board of Ethics,at its April 20,2018 meeting,considered your request for an advisory <br /> opinion as to whether the Code of Governmental Ethics would prohibit the New Orleans <br /> Redevelopment Authority (NORA) from selling immovable property to a current member of <br /> NORA's Board of Commissioners through NORA's Lot Next Door program. You stated that <br /> NORA is a public body corporate and politic, created pursuant to La. R.S. 33:4720.55. You stated <br /> that NORA has a program entitled "Lot Next Door" whereby NORA offers to sell immovable <br /> property in its inventory to New Orleanians who own property adjacent to NORA's immovable <br /> property. You stated that NORA has immovable property adjacent to property owned by Toni <br /> Hackett-Antrum. You stated that Hackett-Antrum is a current member of NORA's Board of <br /> Commissioners and that NORA would like to sell the property in question to Hackett-Antrum. <br /> The Board concluded and instructed me to inform you, that the Louisiana Code of Governmental <br /> Ethics would not prohibit NORA from selling property under its Lot Next Door program to a <br /> member ofNORA's Board of Commissioners. Although La.R.S.42:1113B prohibits an appointed <br /> member of any board or commission, member of his immediate family, or legal entity in which he <br /> has a substantial economic interest from bidding on or entering into or being in any way interested <br /> in any contract,subcontract,or other transaction which is under the supervision or jurisdiction of the <br /> agency of such appointed member, the Board opined in Ethics Board Docket No. 2009-920 that <br /> given special circumstances of the Lot Next Door Program where there is no preferential treatment <br /> given to participants,eligibility is determined by NORA,there are no negotiations on NORA's sale <br /> price and the person is the only qualifying participant for the property. Given these facts,Ms.Toni <br /> Hackett-Antrum, a current member of NORA's Board of Commissioners would not be prohibited <br /> from purchasing the property adjacent to her property,given that she is the only party able to qualify <br /> under NORA's Lot Next Door program. <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />