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STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> ii'`: LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> (�p(y (��s,�s P.O.BOX 4368 <br /> 9� I BATON ROUGE,LA 70821 <br /> `,1/4,,,,:::::4‘. yy� r' (225)219-5600 <br /> FAX:(225)381-7271 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> www.ethics.Ia.gov <br /> Friday,December 4, 2020 <br /> Chief Joey Merrill <br /> Chief of Police <br /> Vidalia Police Department <br /> 202 Vernon Stevens Boulevard <br /> Vidalia,Louisiana 71373 <br /> Re: Louisiana Board of Ethics <br /> Docket No.2020-782 <br /> Dear Chief Merrill: <br /> The Louisiana Board of Ethics ("Board"), at its December 4, 2020 meeting, considered your <br /> request for an advisory opinion as to whether the Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics <br /> ("Code") would prohibit the Vidalia Police Department ("VPD") from accepting monetary <br /> donations from the Riverpark Medical Center to be used as you see fit. <br /> FACTS PROVIDED <br /> You stated that the Riverpark Medical Center would like to make a monetary donation to the <br /> VPD. You have requested an advisory opinion as to whether: 1) the VPD can accept the <br /> donation; 2) there any restrictions on the use of donations to the VPD; 3) VPD can use the <br /> donations to purchase flower arrangements and food trays for the funerals of deceased <br /> Vidalia residents; and, 4) the VPD would be allowed to deposit donation funds into a VPD <br /> checking account. <br /> CONCLUSION <br /> The Board concluded,and instructed me to inform you,that based on the facts presented,the <br /> Code would not prohibit the VPD from accepting monetary donations from Riverpark Medical <br /> Center. Additionally, the Code does not place any restrictions on how the VPD can use the <br /> donation funds or where the VPD can deposit those donation funds. <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 Governmental <br /> Ethics. The Board issues no opinion as to past conduct or as to laws other than the Code of <br /> Governmental Ethics,the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act,the Lobbyist Disclosure Act,and <br /> conflict of interest provisions in the gaming laws. If you have any questions, please contact <br /> me at(800) 842-6630 or(225) 219-5600. <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />