Ethics Board Faces Scrutiny Over Diversity Hiring Practices

Tensions flared during the Louisiana House and Governmental Affairs Committee meeting on November 13, 2024, as discussions centered on the hiring process for a new civil service ethics administrator. Representative Gadbury raised concerns over the lack of diversity within the department, questioning the executive director, Kathleen Allen, about the low percentage of African American employees, which currently stands at 20% compared to the state's 30% demographic.

The dialogue intensified when Gadbury pointed out that the department's hiring practices have historically excluded African Americans, prompting Allen to defend her record. \"I have never directed an employee to exclude anyone based on race or gender,\" she asserted, emphasizing that hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications. However, Gadbury remained unconvinced, highlighting that the department's diversity numbers have not improved significantly over the years.

The committee also discussed the recruitment process for the ethics administrator position, which had garnered over 1,200 inquiries but resulted in only six applicants, four of whom were deemed qualified. Allen explained that the job description was crafted in accordance with statutory requirements, but Gadbury questioned whether the process was thorough enough to attract a diverse pool of candidates.

Byron Decatur, director of state civil service, provided insights into the hiring timeline and procedures, noting that positions are typically advertised for a minimum of ten days. He acknowledged that while the ethics position is high-level and likely to attract interest, there were no specific outreach efforts to law schools or ethics professionals to broaden the candidate pool.

As the meeting concluded, the committee's focus on diversity and inclusion in hiring practices underscored ongoing concerns about representation within state agencies. The discussions highlighted the need for a more proactive approach to ensure that the state's workforce reflects its demographic diversity, setting the stage for future scrutiny of hiring practices in Louisiana's government.