[StBernard] Bill would identify ethics complainants

Westley Annis Westley at da-parish.com
Sat May 29 12:58:08 EDT 2010


"Just because you are an elected official doesn't
mean you should not have the rights and privileges of anyone else."

It also means you are not entitled to additional privileges, nor are you
above the law.




-----Original Message-----
Bill would identify ethics complainants
By MARSHA SHULER
Advocate Capitol News Bureau
Published: May 27, 2010 - Page: 8A

The names of people who file ethics complaints would become public under
legislation that cleared a Senate panel Wednesday.

Opponents said the House-passed measure would have a "chilling effect," with
many of those who think conflict of interest, nepotism or other unethical
conduct has occurred deciding not to come forward.

The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the legislation with
little debate and no objection.

House Bill 758, sponsored by state Rep. Nita Hutter, R-Chalmette, now moves
to the Senate floor for potential final legislative passage.

Under the legislation, once an ethics cases are concluded, the accused can
find out who filed the complaint against them.

Conclusion of the case means the Louisiana Board of Ethics could have
decided not to conduct an investigation; the time period for investigating
has elapsed; the matter is settled by a consent opinion; or a decision has
been reached about whether a violation has occurred.

"There is no court in the land that does not allow you to know who your
accuser is," Hutter said. "Just because you are an elected official doesn't
mean you should not have the rights and privileges of anyone else."

State ethics administrator Kathleen Allen said the Board of Ethics opposes
Hutter's bill.

The board is "concerned about the chilling effect" the law would have on
people who file complaints, Allen said.

Under questioning, Allen said the concern is based on conversations agency
personnel have with those considering filing complaints concerned about
their names becoming public. Under the proposed law, there would be no
confidentiality, she said.

The Baton Rouge Area Chamber and Common Cause opposed the measure.

"If you are going to disclose the names of the confidential informant, you
will have fewer and fewer confidential informants," said Wendell Lindsay
Jr., representing Common Cause.





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