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STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> OV DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> 1,oIs92 LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> P.0. BOX 4368 <br /> * * BATON ROUGE, LA 70821 <br /> cONFI DE*'cE _ (225)219-5600 <br /> .. ... FAX:(225)381-7271 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> www.ethics.1a.gov <br /> July 13, 2021 <br /> Hon. Patrick I. Wright, Sr. <br /> Alderman, Town of Simmesport <br /> P.O. Box 603 <br /> Simmesport, Louisiana 71369 <br /> RE: Ethics Board Docket No. 2021-284 <br /> Dear Mr. Wright: <br /> The Louisiana Board of Ethics, at its July 9, 2021 meeting,considered your request for an advisory <br /> opinion as to whether you can volunteer your services to cut grass and pick up trash in your district <br /> at no cost or donations, while you serve as an Alderman for the Town of Simmesport. <br /> FACTS PROVIDED <br /> You provided that you are an Alderman for the Town of Simmesport representing District 3. You <br /> stated that you would like to pick up trash and cut grass in your district at no cost or donations. You <br /> further inquired as to whether private citizens could help out voluntarily at no cost but by signing <br /> a waiver with the Town of Simmesport. <br /> LAW <br /> La.R.S. 42:1113A(1)(a)prohibits a public servant, or member of such public servant's immediate <br /> family, or legal entity in which he has a controlling interest from bidding on or entering into any <br /> contract, subcontract,or other transaction that is under the supervision or jurisdiction of the agency <br /> of such public servant. <br /> La.R.S. 42:1123(30)allows a public servant,a legal entity in which he has a controlling interest,or <br /> a member of his immediate family, to donate services, movable property, or funds to his agency. <br /> La. R.S. 42:1102(2)(a)(vi) defines "agency" for members of any governing authority and for the <br /> elected or appointed chief executive of a governmental entity, to mean the governmental entity. <br /> CONCLUSION <br /> The Board concluded and instructed me to inform you, the Code of Governmental Ethics (Ethics <br /> Code)would not prohibit you from volunteering your services at no cost to pick up trash and cut grass <br /> in your district. While the Ethics Code prohibits a public servant from entering into a transaction that <br /> is under the supervision or jurisdiction of his agency,the Ethics Code allows for public servants to <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />