The controversy over a proposed grain elevator on St. John Parish, Louisiana's west bank, along the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, has taken several turns.
Now, a leading activist of a non-profit opponent organization - Descendants Project - has raised a state ethics complaint against Parish President Jaclyn Hotard saying she should be recused from the matter because of a conflict of interest - claiming Hotard's mother-in-law owns land in the area, which may increase its value substantially.
The dispute touches on longstanding environmental justice concerns along that stretch of the Mississippi River.
Joy Banner, co-founder of the Descendants Project, is leading the opposition to the grain elevator Greenfields LLC wants to build in Wallace. She filed a complaint about Hotard in November with the state Board of Ethics.
If the project is approved, Banner’s complaint said, the value of that property will likely go up - potentially violating a section of state ethics law that bars public officials from participating in transactions in which a member of their family has a "substantial economic interest."
Banner’s letter to the Ethics Board sparked an investigation into Hotard in November. A hearing date is set for Jan. 4. (NOLA.com 12/05/23) Proposed grain elevator in St. John Parish faces new hurdle | Environment | nola.com
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