Opinion ID: 1622752
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: conclusion

Text: The Commission determined Judge Morvant's actions in ordering defendants to pay money to I Care as a condition of their probation, while he was a member of the program's advisory council, constituted a violation of Canon 2 B of the Code of Judicial Conduct. The Commission reasoned that Judge Morvant's orders to pay monies to I Care was a use of his prestige of judicial office to advance the private interests of the program and to potentially advance his own private interests. It maintained his reputation was presumably enhanced by his public promotion of the I Care program since those associated with the organization and the East Baton Rouge Parish School System could only have benefitted in the event he were reelected. In deference, the Commission commended Judge Morvant's tireless support for the program. It acknowledged the I Care Advisory Council is composed of community leaders who provide advice to further the organization's mission of drug prevention in the schools and community. [7] While noting the council members have no fiduciary obligations, unlike a director, the Commission also emphasized the members are uncompensated for their services and have no authority to direct how I Care funds are utilized. Notwithstanding, the Commission concluded Judge Morvant's visible association with the organization raised the possibility that the public would perceive his use of his judicial power as a measure to enrich a philanthropic organization that he had a direct relationship with. Therefore, in addition to finding Judge Morvant breached Canon 2 B of the Code of Judicial Conduct, the Commission determined that Judge Morvant violated Article V, § 25(C) of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974 by bringing disrepute to his judicial office by his persistent and public conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.