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STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> 0'°,,,'L'6jso• DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> T'r9i= LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> rn <br /> r �: >���I� P.O.BOX 4368 <br /> to � BATON ROUGE, LA 70821 <br /> "P1pe" ,, (225)219-5600 <br /> • jd'', FAX:(225)381-7271 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> www.ethics.la.gov <br /> July 22, 2019 <br /> Mr. Nicholas J. Muscarello <br /> Attorney at Law <br /> Post Office Box 1906 <br /> Hammond, LA 70404 <br /> RE: Docket No. 2019-494 <br /> Dear Mr. Muscarello: <br /> The Louisiana Board of Ethics,at its July 19,2019 meeting,considered your request for an advisory <br /> opinion relative to whether Amwaste of Louisiana, LLC can contract with Robertson Oil Company <br /> who employs Tangipahoa Councilman, Carlo Bruno, while Amwaste has a contract for waste <br /> disposal with Tangipahoa Parish. <br /> FACTS PROVIDED <br /> You stated that Amwaste of Louisiana, LLC ("Amwaste") is in the business of waste disposal and <br /> currently contracts with Tangipahoa Parish to provide waste disposal services. You stated that <br /> Tangipahoa Parish Councilman, Carlo Bruno is employed with Robertson Brothers Oil Company <br /> ("Robertson")in the Sales division. You stated that Amwaste would like to contract with Robertson <br /> for the purchase of bulk fuel for their trucks and equipment. You stated that Carlo Bruno would not <br /> receive any commission from the business relationship between Amwaste and Robertson.You stated <br /> that Councilman Bruno has approved contracts in his role as parish councilman for waste disposal <br /> services between Tangipahoa Parish and Amwaste. <br /> LAW <br /> La.R.S.42:1111 C(2)(d)prohibits a public servant,or public servant's legal entity which he exercises <br /> control or owns an interest in excess of 25 percent, from receiving any thing of economic value for <br /> or in consideration of services rendered, or to be rendered, to or for any person during his public <br /> service when said person has or is seeking to obtain contractual or other business or financial <br /> relationships with the public servant's agency. <br /> CONCLUSION <br /> The Board concluded and instructed me to inform you, the Code of Governmental Ethics (Ethics <br /> Code) would not prohibit Amwaste from contracting with Robertson for the purchase of bulk fuel <br /> even though Robertson employs Tangipahoa Councilman, Carlo Bruno. Although Robertson <br /> compensates Councilman Bruno as an employee,Robertson does not have nor is it seeking to obtain <br /> a contractual or other business or financial relationships with the Tangipahoa Government. <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />