A July 17, 2019 decision of the Louisiana Ethics Adjudicatory Board ruled that a Ralph Johnson was fined $7500 for a violations of state ethics law.
An informed source has confirmed that this Ralph Johnson is the same RJ Johnson that was hired by the Shreveport City Council yesterday (Tues.) to fill the newly created position of Director of Council Affairs.
Johnson was an appointed member of the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board for the City of Baton Rouge.
The ethics opinion stated that while an appointed member of the ABC Board, Johnson participated a hearing of the ABC Board and MECA, an organization that he served as executive director and in which he had a substantial economic interest.
The council did NOT perform a background investigation on Johnson.
An ethics violation has been filed against councilman Alan Jackson for his role in the selection of Johnson, specifically:
a. Jackson sponsored the ordinance to create the new position and pushed it through the Council
b. Jackson and Johnson are fraternity brothers
c. Jackson's 2022 campaign purchased signs from Johnson, reportedly at a discounted price
d. Johnson is chair of the Caddo Democratic Executive Committee (CDEC) which endorsed Johnson over other candidates for the 2022 election.
Jackson did NOT disclose items b-d to the council, and he voted for Johnson.
The 11-page ethics opinion can be requested by email to john@jesettle.com.