Louisiana state seal Louisiana Ethics Administration Program
Home Charges Search EAB Decisions Search
STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> 002 <br /> ...... <br /> .i DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> �`�'sfik rick LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> � <br /> r <br /> P.O.BOX 4368 <br /> l,�J+ BATON ROUGE,LA 70821 <br /> °"^.o (225)219-5600 <br /> "' FAX:(225)381-7271 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> www.ethics.la.gov <br /> December 18, 2018 <br /> Chief Earnest Anderson <br /> Cottonport Police Department <br /> Post Office Box 478 <br /> Cottonport, Louisiana 71327 <br /> Re: Ethics Board Docket No. 2018-1334 <br /> Dear Chief Anderson: <br /> The Louisiana Board of Ethics, at its December 14, 2018 meeting, considered your request <br /> for an advisory opinion regarding whether the Code of Governmental Ethics(Code)would prohibit <br /> Jermaine Prater,the sister of two members of the Cottonport Board of Alderman, to be hired by the <br /> Cottonport Police Department. You provided that Cottonport is governed by the Lawrason Act.You <br /> added that while you make budget and hiring recommendations, those recommendations must be <br /> approved by the Cottonport Board of Alderman. Ms. Prater's sisters, Margaret Prater-Jenkins and <br /> Demple Prater, both currently serve on the Cottonport Board of Alderman. <br /> La. R.S. 42:1119B provides that no member of the immediate family of a member of a <br /> governing authority shall be employed by the governmental entity. La. R.S. 42:11102(13) defines <br /> "immediate family"to include a public servant's siblings. La. R.S.42:1102(11)defines"governing <br /> authority"to mean the body which exercises the legislative functions of a political subdivision. <br /> The Board concluded, and instructed me to inform you, that Jermaine Prater would be <br /> prohibited by the Code from being employed with the Cottonport Police Department, since the <br /> position is under the supervision of the Cottonport Board of Aldermen. <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 Code of Ethics. The Board <br /> issues no opinion as to past conduct or as to laws other than the Code of Governmental Ethics. If you <br /> have any questions, please contact me at (800) 842-6630 or(225)219-5600. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> Suzanne Quinlan Mooney <br /> For the Board <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />