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Avoid Louisiana Governmental Ethics Violations This Holiday Season

As the holidays approach, well-intentioned gift-giving can quickly turn into an ethics problem for anyone interacting with Louisiana public employees. Louisiana’s governmental ethics laws impose strict limits on gifts from private-sector individuals or businesses that have dealings with a public employee’s agency. That thoughtful holiday basket may feel harmless, but in many situations it is simply against the law. When it comes to gift-giving and governmental ethics, the two rarely mix.

What the Law Prohibits

Under Louisiana law, a public employee may not receive anything of economic value from anyone who:

  • is seeking a contractual, business, or financial relationship with the employee’s agency, or

  • is attempting to influence the passage or defeat of legislation before that agency.

Historically, this has meant that even classic Louisiana holiday gifts such as spice baskets, pecans, bottles of wine, or locally made treats were off-limits if the giver had business before the agency. Not only is giving such a gift a violation; accepting it is as well.

The “King Cake Rule”

Recently, the Legislature adopted what has become known as the King Cake Rule. It allows public employees to accept seasonal or holiday foods and non-alcoholic beverages. This exception is capped at the same limit that applies to meals: $81 per event, adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. In practice, this means you may bring a king cake or similar holiday food item to an office if it does not exceed the current $81 limit; leave that gourmet holiday basket at home.

Sympathy Gifts

Louisiana law also allows up to $200 in flowers or donations given to a public servant insympathy for the death of an immediate family member. This exception is narrow and applies only in the context of bereavement.

What You Can Give

Outside of these exceptions, the list of permissible items is extremely limited. A business or individual with a business relationship to a public employee’s agency may generally give only:

  • a greeting card,

  • a calendar or pen with no resale value, or

  • a meal valued at $81 or less, provided the giver is present at the meal.

Parents may also give nominal gifts to their children’s teachers.

“But We’re Friends!” Is Not a Defense

One of the most common explanations for improper gifts is that the public employee is “a friend.” Louisiana law does not recognize friendship – no matter how genuine or long-standing – as a defense to a violation. If a business relationship exists with the employee’s agency, the gift restrictions apply.

The Cost of Getting It Wrong

Violations carry significant consequences. A person who gives a prohibited gift faces:

  • civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation,

  • possiblecriminal charges, and

  • a public sanction that may jeopardize their ability to do business with the state.

For the public employee, penalties may include all the above, in addition to forfeiting the gift.

When in Doubt, Ask

Businesses and individuals should assume that most gifts are not allowed. Before giving anything of value to a Louisiana public employee, especially during the holiday season, consult legal counsel for guidance.

Avoid Louisiana Governmental Ethics Violations This Holiday Season

As the holidays approach, well-intentioned gift-giving can quickly turn into an ethics problem for anyone interacting with Louisiana public employees. Louisiana’s governmental ethics laws impose strict limits on gifts from private-sector individuals or businesses that have dealings with a public employee’s agency. That thoughtful holiday basket may feel harmless, but in many situations it is simply against the law. When it comes to gift-giving and governmental ethics, the two rarely mix.

What the Law Prohibits

Under Louisiana law, a public employee may not receive anything of economic value from anyone who:

  • is seeking a contractual, business, or financial relationship with the employee’s agency, or

  • is attempting to influence the passage or defeat of legislation before that agency.

Historically, this has meant that even classic Louisiana holiday gifts such as spice baskets, pecans, bottles of wine, or locally made treats were off-limits if the giver had business before the agency. Not only is giving such a gift a violation; accepting it is as well.

The “King Cake Rule”

Recently, the Legislature adopted what has become known as the King Cake Rule. It allows public employees to accept seasonal or holiday foods and non-alcoholic beverages. This exception is capped at the same limit that applies to meals: $81 per event, adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. In practice, this means you may bring a king cake or similar holiday food item to an office if it does not exceed the current $81 limit; leave that gourmet holiday basket at home.

Sympathy Gifts

Louisiana law also allows up to $200 in flowers or donations given to a public servant insympathy for the death of an immediate family member. This exception is narrow and applies only in the context of bereavement.

What You Can Give

Outside of these exceptions, the list of permissible items is extremely limited. A business or individual with a business relationship to a public employee’s agency may generally give only:

  • a greeting card,

  • a calendar or pen with no resale value, or

  • a meal valued at $81 or less, provided the giver is present at the meal.

Parents may also give nominal gifts to their children’s teachers.

“But We’re Friends!” Is Not a Defense

One of the most common explanations for improper gifts is that the public employee is “a friend.” Louisiana law does not recognize friendship – no matter how genuine or long-standing – as a defense to a violation. If a business relationship exists with the employee’s agency, the gift restrictions apply.

The Cost of Getting It Wrong

Violations carry significant consequences. A person who gives a prohibited gift faces:

  • civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation,

  • possiblecriminal charges, and

  • a public sanction that may jeopardize their ability to do business with the state.

For the public employee, penalties may include all the above, in addition to forfeiting the gift.

When in Doubt, Ask

Businesses and individuals should assume that most gifts are not allowed. Before giving anything of value to a Louisiana public employee, especially during the holiday season, consult legal counsel for guidance.

Avoid Louisiana Governmental Ethics Violations This Holiday Season

As the holidays approach, well-intentioned gift-giving can quickly turn into an ethics problem for anyone interacting with Louisiana public employees. Louisiana’s governmental ethics laws impose strict limits on gifts from private-sector individuals or businesses that have dealings with a public employee’s agency. That thoughtful holiday basket may feel harmless, but in many situations it is simply against the law. When it comes to gift-giving and governmental ethics, the two rarely mix.

What the Law Prohibits

Under Louisiana law, a public employee may not receive anything of economic value from anyone who:

  • is seeking a contractual, business, or financial relationship with the employee’s agency, or

  • is attempting to influence the passage or defeat of legislation before that agency.

Historically, this has meant that even classic Louisiana holiday gifts such as spice baskets, pecans, bottles of wine, or locally made treats were off-limits if the giver had business before the agency. Not only is giving such a gift a violation; accepting it is as well.

The “King Cake Rule”

Recently, the Legislature adopted what has become known as the King Cake Rule. It allows public employees to accept seasonal or holiday foods and non-alcoholic beverages. This exception is capped at the same limit that applies to meals: $81 per event, adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. In practice, this means you may bring a king cake or similar holiday food item to an office if it does not exceed the current $81 limit; leave that gourmet holiday basket at home.

Sympathy Gifts

Louisiana law also allows up to $200 in flowers or donations given to a public servant insympathy for the death of an immediate family member. This exception is narrow and applies only in the context of bereavement.

What You Can Give

Outside of these exceptions, the list of permissible items is extremely limited. A business or individual with a business relationship to a public employee’s agency may generally give only:

  • a greeting card,

  • a calendar or pen with no resale value, or

  • a meal valued at $81 or less, provided the giver is present at the meal.

Parents may also give nominal gifts to their children’s teachers.

“But We’re Friends!” Is Not a Defense

One of the most common explanations for improper gifts is that the public employee is “a friend.” Louisiana law does not recognize friendship – no matter how genuine or long-standing – as a defense to a violation. If a business relationship exists with the employee’s agency, the gift restrictions apply.

The Cost of Getting It Wrong

Violations carry significant consequences. A person who gives a prohibited gift faces:

  • civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation,

  • possiblecriminal charges, and

  • a public sanction that may jeopardize their ability to do business with the state.

For the public employee, penalties may include all the above, in addition to forfeiting the gift.

When in Doubt, Ask

Businesses and individuals should assume that most gifts are not allowed. Before giving anything of value to a Louisiana public employee, especially during the holiday season, consult legal counsel for guidance.

Avoid Louisiana Governmental Ethics Violations This Holiday Season

As the holidays approach, well-intentioned gift-giving can quickly turn into an ethics problem for anyone interacting with Louisiana public employees. Louisiana’s governmental ethics laws impose strict limits on gifts from private-sector individuals or businesses that have dealings with a public employee’s agency. That thoughtful holiday basket may feel harmless, but in many situations it is simply against the law. When it comes to gift-giving and governmental ethics, the two rarely mix.

What the Law Prohibits

Under Louisiana law, a public employee may not receive anything of economic value from anyone who:

  • is seeking a contractual, business, or financial relationship with the employee’s agency, or

  • is attempting to influence the passage or defeat of legislation before that agency.

Historically, this has meant that even classic Louisiana holiday gifts such as spice baskets, pecans, bottles of wine, or locally made treats were off-limits if the giver had business before the agency. Not only is giving such a gift a violation; accepting it is as well.

The “King Cake Rule”

Recently, the Legislature adopted what has become known as the King Cake Rule. It allows public employees to accept seasonal or holiday foods and non-alcoholic beverages. This exception is capped at the same limit that applies to meals: $81 per event, adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. In practice, this means you may bring a king cake or similar holiday food item to an office if it does not exceed the current $81 limit; leave that gourmet holiday basket at home.

Sympathy Gifts

Louisiana law also allows up to $200 in flowers or donations given to a public servant insympathy for the death of an immediate family member. This exception is narrow and applies only in the context of bereavement.

What You Can Give

Outside of these exceptions, the list of permissible items is extremely limited. A business or individual with a business relationship to a public employee’s agency may generally give only:

  • a greeting card,

  • a calendar or pen with no resale value, or

  • a meal valued at $81 or less, provided the giver is present at the meal.

Parents may also give nominal gifts to their children’s teachers.

“But We’re Friends!” Is Not a Defense

One of the most common explanations for improper gifts is that the public employee is “a friend.” Louisiana law does not recognize friendship – no matter how genuine or long-standing – as a defense to a violation. If a business relationship exists with the employee’s agency, the gift restrictions apply.

The Cost of Getting It Wrong

Violations carry significant consequences. A person who gives a prohibited gift faces:

  • civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation,

  • possiblecriminal charges, and

  • a public sanction that may jeopardize their ability to do business with the state.

For the public employee, penalties may include all the above, in addition to forfeiting the gift.

When in Doubt, Ask

Businesses and individuals should assume that most gifts are not allowed. Before giving anything of value to a Louisiana public employee, especially during the holiday season, consult legal counsel for guidance.

Avoid Louisiana Governmental Ethics Violations This Holiday Season

As the holidays approach, well-intentioned gift-giving can quickly turn into an ethics problem for anyone interacting with Louisiana public employees. Louisiana’s governmental ethics laws impose strict limits on gifts from private-sector individuals or businesses that have dealings with a public employee’s agency. That thoughtful holiday basket may feel harmless, but in many situations it is simply against the law. When it comes to gift-giving and governmental ethics, the two rarely mix.

What the Law Prohibits

Under Louisiana law, a public employee may not receive anything of economic value from anyone who:

  • is seeking a contractual, business, or financial relationship with the employee’s agency, or

  • is attempting to influence the passage or defeat of legislation before that agency.

Historically, this has meant that even classic Louisiana holiday gifts such as spice baskets, pecans, bottles of wine, or locally made treats were off-limits if the giver had business before the agency. Not only is giving such a gift a violation; accepting it is as well.

The “King Cake Rule”

Recently, the Legislature adopted what has become known as the King Cake Rule. It allows public employees to accept seasonal or holiday foods and non-alcoholic beverages. This exception is capped at the same limit that applies to meals: $81 per event, adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. In practice, this means you may bring a king cake or similar holiday food item to an office if it does not exceed the current $81 limit; leave that gourmet holiday basket at home.

Sympathy Gifts

Louisiana law also allows up to $200 in flowers or donations given to a public servant insympathy for the death of an immediate family member. This exception is narrow and applies only in the context of bereavement.

What You Can Give

Outside of these exceptions, the list of permissible items is extremely limited. A business or individual with a business relationship to a public employee’s agency may generally give only:

  • a greeting card,

  • a calendar or pen with no resale value, or

  • a meal valued at $81 or less, provided the giver is present at the meal.

Parents may also give nominal gifts to their children’s teachers.

“But We’re Friends!” Is Not a Defense

One of the most common explanations for improper gifts is that the public employee is “a friend.” Louisiana law does not recognize friendship – no matter how genuine or long-standing – as a defense to a violation. If a business relationship exists with the employee’s agency, the gift restrictions apply.

The Cost of Getting It Wrong

Violations carry significant consequences. A person who gives a prohibited gift faces:

  • civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation,

  • possiblecriminal charges, and

  • a public sanction that may jeopardize their ability to do business with the state.

For the public employee, penalties may include all the above, in addition to forfeiting the gift.

When in Doubt, Ask

Businesses and individuals should assume that most gifts are not allowed. Before giving anything of value to a Louisiana public employee, especially during the holiday season, consult legal counsel for guidance.

Avoid Louisiana Governmental Ethics Violations This Holiday Season

As the holidays approach, well-intentioned gift-giving can quickly turn into an ethics problem for anyone interacting with Louisiana public employees. Louisiana’s governmental ethics laws impose strict limits on gifts from private-sector individuals or businesses that have dealings with a public employee’s agency. That thoughtful holiday basket may feel harmless, but in many situations it is simply against the law. When it comes to gift-giving and governmental ethics, the two rarely mix.

What the Law Prohibits

Under Louisiana law, a public employee may not receive anything of economic value from anyone who:

  • is seeking a contractual, business, or financial relationship with the employee’s agency, or

  • is attempting to influence the passage or defeat of legislation before that agency.

Historically, this has meant that even classic Louisiana holiday gifts such as spice baskets, pecans, bottles of wine, or locally made treats were off-limits if the giver had business before the agency. Not only is giving such a gift a violation; accepting it is as well.

The “King Cake Rule”

Recently, the Legislature adopted what has become known as the King Cake Rule. It allows public employees to accept seasonal or holiday foods and non-alcoholic beverages. This exception is capped at the same limit that applies to meals: $81 per event, adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. In practice, this means you may bring a king cake or similar holiday food item to an office if it does not exceed the current $81 limit; leave that gourmet holiday basket at home.

Sympathy Gifts

Louisiana law also allows up to $200 in flowers or donations given to a public servant insympathy for the death of an immediate family member. This exception is narrow and applies only in the context of bereavement.

What You Can Give

Outside of these exceptions, the list of permissible items is extremely limited. A business or individual with a business relationship to a public employee’s agency may generally give only:

  • a greeting card,

  • a calendar or pen with no resale value, or

  • a meal valued at $81 or less, provided the giver is present at the meal.

Parents may also give nominal gifts to their children’s teachers.

“But We’re Friends!” Is Not a Defense

One of the most common explanations for improper gifts is that the public employee is “a friend.” Louisiana law does not recognize friendship – no matter how genuine or long-standing – as a defense to a violation. If a business relationship exists with the employee’s agency, the gift restrictions apply.

The Cost of Getting It Wrong

Violations carry significant consequences. A person who gives a prohibited gift faces:

  • civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation,

  • possiblecriminal charges, and

  • a public sanction that may jeopardize their ability to do business with the state.

For the public employee, penalties may include all the above, in addition to forfeiting the gift.

When in Doubt, Ask

Businesses and individuals should assume that most gifts are not allowed. Before giving anything of value to a Louisiana public employee, especially during the holiday season, consult legal counsel for guidance.