AG: Claiborne police juror employed as detective violating state law

HOMER, La. – A Claiborne Parish police juror who also works fulltime as a detective for the sheriff’s office appears to be violating the state’s dual officeholding law.

That’s according to the state Attorney General’s Office, which earlier this month issued an opinion concerning Mark Furlow’s government positions.

Haynesville resident Jeffrey Landrum sought the opinion, asking the attorney general if Furlow, who serves in an elected position as a police juror and holds the title of vice president, may also be employed as a detective for the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The AG’s opinion: “No. The Dual Officeholding and Employment provisions prohibit the Vice President of Claiborne Parish Police Jury from simultaneously being employed as a Detective for Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office.”

Furlow could not be reached for comment. A message left on his cellphone was not returned.

Likewise, a message left with Claiborne District Attorney Danny Newell seeking information on whether he will follow up on the opinion was not returned.

The opinion, prepared by Assistant Attorney General Harley Fredieu and reviewed by Attorney General Liz Murrill, stands for itself, confirmed a spokesman for the office, who added opinions from the attorney general’s office are advisory in nature and intended to provide legal guidance based on the facts presented.

The provisions of the state’s law govern the ability to hold two or more public offices or positions simultaneously. As a police juror, Furlow holds an “elective office” for purposes of the law, while a detective for the sheriff’s office is classified as employment.

The law states, in part:

“No person holding an elective office in a political subdivision of this state shall at the same time hold another elective office or full-time appointive office in the government of this state or in the government of a political subdivision thereof. No such person shall hold at the same time employment in the government of this state, or in the same political subdivision in which he holds an elective office. In addition, no sheriff, assessor or clerk of court shall hold any office or employment under a parish governing authority or school board, nor shall any member of any parish governing authority or school board hold any office or employment with any sheriff, assessor or clerk of court. (Emphasis added by assistant AG). “

The law specifically prohibits any “member of any parish governing authority” from holding “any office or employment with any sheriff.”

There are separate provisions of the law addressed in the Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics.