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STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> OV Lppfp <br /> DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> Few°', 14lr,' LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> v. ti P.O. BOX 4368 <br /> * g V * BATON ROUGE, LA 70821 <br /> c0;;;D'o'�c (225)219-5600 <br /> «o»- FAX:(225)381-7271 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> www.ethics.la.gov <br /> May 11, 2021 <br /> Tanika L. Starks <br /> 2900 Westfork Dr. <br /> Suite 401 <br /> Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70826 <br /> Re: Ethics Board Docket No. 2021-203 <br /> Dear Ms. Starks: <br /> The Louisiana Board of Ethics,at its May 7,2021 meeting,considered your request for an advisory <br /> opinion on behalf of Mervin Allen,Jr.,an alderman for the Town of White Castle,as to whether an <br /> alderperson's donation of their salary to the city for the establishment of a utility subsidy would be <br /> a violation of the Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics. <br /> FACTS PROVIDED <br /> Mervin Allen, Jr. is an alderperson for the Town of White Castle. Mr. Allen would like to donate <br /> a portion of his salary to to the city in order to establish a utility subsidy for the benefit of town's <br /> citizens. Specifically, he intends that his donation fund utility vouchers for a certain number of <br /> citizens each month. <br /> LAWS <br /> La. R.S. 42:1113A states no public servant, or a member of such a public servant's immediate <br /> family,or a legal entity in which he has a controlling interest shall bid on or enter into any contract, <br /> subcontract or other transaction that is under the supervision or jurisdiction of the agency of such <br /> public servant. <br /> La. R.S. 42:1123(30) provides that a public servant, a legal entity in which he has a controlling <br /> interest, or a member of his immediate family may donate services, movable property, or funds to <br /> his agency. <br /> ANALYSIS <br /> Generally,the exception found in La.R.S.42:1123(30)permits a public servant to donate his or her <br /> salary. <br /> CONCLUSION <br /> While the Board expresses no opinion as to how the town may use any funds donated by Mr.Allen, <br /> the Board concluded,and instructed me to inform you,that the Code of Governmental Ethics would <br /> not prohibit Mr. Allen from making a donation of his salary to the Town of White Castle. <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />