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Below is an Advisory Opinion from the Ethics Commission I thought ya'll might want to know about.

March 12, 2004

Major Marty Dufrene
Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office
P.O. Box 5608
Thibodaux, LA 70302

Re: Ethics Board Docket No. 2004-168

Dear Major Dufrene :

The Louisiana Board of Ethics, at its March 11, 2004 meeting, considered your request for an advisory opinion concerning whether Randolph Publications, a company which is owned by George Randolph, the husband of the Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph, may continue to contract with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office. Randolph Publications currently has a contract with the Sheriff's office to maintain the Sheriff's Office's web page, and would like to enter into future contracts for document construction and various publications.

The Board concluded and instructed me to inform you that the Code of Governmental Ethics does not prohibit Randolph Publications from bidding on or entering into a contract or other transaction with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. Section 1113A of the Code will prohibit a legal entity in which a pubic servant or his immediate family member own a controlling interest from bidding on or entering into a contract, subcontract, or other transaction that is under the supervision or jurisdiction the public servant’s agency. Since the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office is a separate agency from the parish, the current contract and any future contracts between the Sheriff's Office and Randolph Publications are not prohibited.

The Board issues no opinion as to laws other than the Code of Governmental Ethics. If you have any questions, please contact me at (800) 842-6630 or (225) 763-8777.

Sincerely,

LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS

Peggy A. Sabadie For the Board