Ethics Policy
"Ethics is "the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation." It is a set of moral principles." - Merriam-Webster Online
The State of Louisiana established a Code of Governmental Ethics to ensure public confidence in government and to assure that the public office is not used for private gain. This Code was also established to deter wrongdoing, promote honest and ethical conduct, accountability, and to promote compliance with applicable government laws, rules, and regulations.
Louisiana Revised Statute 42:1170, requires all public employees to complete one hour of training on the Code of Governmental Ethics each calendar year. More information, including a Summary of the Ethics Code, and regulations on campaign finance, and campaign finance reports from our elected officials can be found on the Louisiana Ethics Administration Program website.
Topics given particular attention by both the State Code of Governmental Ethics:
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Gifts- no public servant (a public employee or an elected official) shall solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any thing of economic value as a gift or gratuity from any person who has or is seeking a contractual, business, or financial relationship with the public servants agency.
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Donations - no public servant (a public employee or an elected official) shall receive any thing of economic value, other than the compensation and benefits to which he is entitled from his governmental employer, for the performance of the duties and responsibilities of his office or position.
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Abuse of office - no public servant may use the authority of his office or position, directly or indirectly, in a manner intended to compel or coerce another public servant or other person to provide him or anyone else with a thing of economic values that he is not entitled to by law.
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Nepotism - no member of the immediate family of an agency head may be employed in his agency.