Jenkins cleared of ethics violation
(PRWEB) January 6, 2005 -- The Louisiana Board of Ethics ended
its investigation of alleged violations by Jimmy Jenkins during his last days as
secretary of the Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, according to a letter
provided by Jenkins.
The complaint was filed after Jenkins was presented
several gifts four days before his term in office ended. Jenkins said the
investigation centered only around the gift of a rod and reel from Coastal
Conservation Association.
“I got a lot of things, but somebody picked out
this rod from CCA to investigate,” Jenkins said. “What they gave me was a
fishing rod, which meant I had 51 instead of 50. I gave it back because of all
the crap.”
But Jenkins said the basis of the accusation was that he
received a gift from a group controlled by his agency.
“The Department of
Wildlife & Fisheries doesn’t control CCA,” he said.
The Board of
Ethics letter provided by Jenkins reveals that the complaint was considered June
10.
“Based on the fact that the rod and reel was returned to Coastal
Conservation Association on Jan. 18, 2004, the board instructed the staff to
close the file in this matter,” the letter reads.
Jenkins said he was
pleased the charges were dropped, but added that he was disappointed in the way
the system worked.
“Anybody can make an accusation against anybody,” he
said. “And that’s OK because there are an awful lot of unethical bastards
running around.”
What he didn’t agree with was the fact that the names of
those making complaints are kept confidential.
“You don’t know who made
charges. You cannot face your accuser.”
That didn’t stop information from
leaking to the press.
“Before I got a notice (from the Ethics Board about
the complaint), it was in the newspapers,” Jenkins said. “I called and wrote the
Ethics Board, but they didn’t release it.”
He said he believed the board
should demand more proof of violations before opening an investigation that
could tarnish someone’s reputation.
“I think it’s unfair on Ethics’ part
to investigate any anonymous, unsubstantiated charges,” Jenkins said. “And in
the end it’s a big lie to start with.”
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By: Andy Crawford
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/1/prweb194218.htm