§261.  Prohibited contacts with official gaming establishment and casino operator; public officers; penalties

A.  No public officer as defined in R.S. 42:1 shall engage in any business activity with a casino gaming operator except as a patron or as a performing professional musician in the official gaming establishment or other premises where authorized gaming activities are conducted.  If the official is a performing professional musician, the official shall give notice to the Board of Ethics and the Louisiana Gaming Control Board not later than five days prior to any performance.  If the official is also subject to the Judicial Canons of Ethics, then he must also provide such notice to the judicial administrator of the Louisiana Supreme Court.  Such notice shall include but not be limited to the following information: the date, time and location of the performance; the amount of compensation the official has contracted to receive for the performance; and the identity of the person or entity providing compensation to the official.  A copy of the contract shall also be attached to such notice.  Cash compensation to the official for the performance is prohibited by this Section.  The Board of Ethics may promulgate rules to provide for additional information to be included in such notice.

B.  As used in this Section, business activity shall specifically include but not be limited to contracts:

(1)  For the sale or purchase of goods, merchandise, and services.

(2)  To provide or receive legal services, advertising, public relations, or any other business or personal service.

(3)  For the listing, purchasing, or selling of immovable property or options or real rights relating thereto.

(4)  Modifying ownership or possessory interests in stocks, bonds, securities, or any financial instrument.

C.  The Board of Ethics shall administer and enforce the provisions of this Section. The procedures and penalties provided for in the Code of Governmental Ethics shall apply to the administration and enforcement of the provisions of this Section.  In addition, the corporation may institute an action in the district court to enjoin violations of Subsection A of this Section and hold the public officer liable for all costs of instituting and maintaining the action, specifically including attorney fees and costs of court.

D.  No entity that holds a casino operating contract under the provisions of this Chapter shall be eligible to make campaign contributions to any person seeking election or reelection to a public office as defined in R.S. 42:1.

Acts 1992, No. 384, §1, eff. June 18, 1992; Acts 1996, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 64, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1997.  Redesignated from R.S. 4:661 by Acts 1996, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 7, §3, eff. May 1, 1996; Acts 2001, No. 1220, §1.