Louisiana state seal Louisiana Ethics Administration Program
Home Charges Search EAB Decisions Search
STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> ...OF <br /> "��..LOUfs.�... 9DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> �, „ LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> �� P.O. BOX 4368 <br /> _ BATON ROUGE,LA 70821 <br /> °h,I- .° (225)219-5600 <br /> FAX:(225)381-7271 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> www.ethics.la.gov <br /> April 24, 2018 <br /> Laverne Mixon <br /> Alderwoman,Town of Chatham <br /> Post Office Box 7 <br /> Chatham,Louisiana 71226 <br /> Re: Ethics Board Docket No.2018-188 <br /> Dear Mrs.Mixon: <br /> The Louisiana Board of Ethics, at its April 20, 2018 meeting, considered your request for an advisory <br /> opinion regarding whether your husband,James Mixon,may lease property wholly-owned by both of you <br /> to the Town of Chatham. You were elected to serve as an Alderwoman for the Town of Chatham with <br /> your term commencing on January 1, 2017 and ending December 31, 2020. The property was originally <br /> leased for five years to the Town in March of 2008 at one hundred-fifty dollars ($150) per year. It was <br /> renewed for another five year term at the same rate beginning in March of 2013 and ending on February <br /> 28, 2018. You stated that the Mayor of Chatham and other members of the Board of Aldermen would like <br /> to change the lease to a year by year agreement. All of the terms and conditions of the most recently <br /> expired lease will remain the same except for the length of the lease. However,this new lease agreement <br /> is not an automatic renewal and requires a new signature from your husband. <br /> The Board concluded, and instructed me to inform you, that the Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics <br /> would prohibit you or your husband from entering into a lease agreement for property owned by you with <br /> the Town of Chatham while you serve as an Alderwoman for the Town. La. R.S. 42:1113A provides that <br /> no public servant, excluding any legislator and any appointed member of any board or commission and <br /> any member of a governing authority of a parish with a population of ten thousand or less, or member of <br /> such public servant's immediate family, or legal entity in which she has a controlling interest shall bid on <br /> or enter into any contract, subcontract, or other transaction that is under the supervision or jurisdiction of <br /> the agency of such public servant. A lease of property owned by you and your husband to the Town of <br /> Chatham would be considered entering into a contract or other transaction with your agency, the Town <br /> Chatham. <br /> This advisory opinion is based solely on the facts as set forth herein. Changes to the facts presented may <br /> result in a different application of the provisions of the Code of Ethics. The Board issues no opinion as to <br /> past conduct or laws other than Code of Governmental Ethics. If you have any questions, please contact <br /> me at(225)219-5600 or(800) 842-6630. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> LO IRNA BO 1 e ETHICS <br /> AI <br /> rett Robin on <br /> For the Board <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />