2021-367 - Laserfiche WebLink

DISTRIBUTION OF BOOKS You ask whether the Code will prohibit you from distributing the books to children in New Orleans for free. The Board concluded, and instructed me to inform you, that the Code will not prohibit you from participating in the child literacy program or from donating the books to children in New Orleans. BOOK SALES You ask whether the Code will prohibit you from receiving compensation from the sale of your book. La. R.S.42:1111C(1)(a)provides that no public servant shall receive anything of economic value for any service, the subject matter of which is devoted substantially to the responsibilities, programs, or operations of the agency of the public servant and in which the public servant has participated. La.R.S.42:1111 C(2)(d)provides that no public servant shall receive any thing of economic value for services rendered to a person if that person: (1) has a contractual, business, or financial relationship with the public servant's agency; (2) conducts operations which are regulated by the public employee's agency;or(3)has substantial economic interests which may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the public employee's official duty. The Board concluded, and instructed me to inform you, that Section 1111 C(1)(a) does not prohibit you from receiving compensation from the sale of your book, since the book is not substantially related to the programs of your agency, the Office of Neighborhood Engagement. However, the Board cautioned that Section 1111 C(2)(d) prohibits you from receiving compensation from book sales to any person who would be considered a prohibited source to you. This includes any person who has a contractual, business, or financial relationship with the Office of Neighborhood Engagement, any person who conducts operations which are regulated by the Office of Neighborhood Engagement, and any person who has substantial economic interests which may be substantially affected by the performance of your duties as a Neighborhood Liaison. Should you have any concerns about a specific potential conflict of interest, the Board suggests you seek an additional advisory opinion. Additionally, the Board cautioned that La. R.S. 42:1113A prohibits you from selling the book to your agency, the Office of Neighborhood Engagement. However, La. R.S. 42:1123(30)would allow you to donate copies of your book to the Office of Neighborhood Engagement. Page 2 of 4 (Docket No. 2021-367)