Parish Leader Faces Ethics Scrutiny Over Cruise‑Catering Deal

The Louisiana Board of Ethics released a statement alleging that West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard violated ethical rules by leveraging his public office to benefit a family-owned restaurant.

Key Allegations

• Oyster Bar – The restaurant, co‑owned by Havard and his son Davis, is at the center of the controversy.
• Contract with American Cruise Lines – Between September 2023 and May 2024, the family’s catering firm earned over $250,000 from the cruise line.
• Parish Revenue – Only about $22,000 of that income went to the parish through a docking lease agreement.

Havard’s Response

• Denied any misconduct and challenged the board’s findings.
• Stated that accepting a fine would be an admission of guilt.
• Promised to continue fighting the matter in public forums.

Investigation Details

• Email Exchange – Davis’s emails with a cruise line executive revealed plans for a premium “Cochon de Lait Experience” at the Oyster Bar, priced at $115 per person for 35 guests. This would have generated over $400,000 across the planned 100 dockings in 2025.
• LLC Formation – Ferdinand Catering was registered as an LLC under Davis’s name just one day after a resident filed the complaint.
• Timeline Discrepancies – The board’s opinion was issued in early April 2025, but Havard was not formally notified until October, raising concerns about procedural delays.

Potential Outcomes

The Ethics Adjudicatory Board will soon decide:

• Whether to censure Havard.
• Impose a fine up to $10,000.
• Require repayment of the full economic benefit plus additional penalties.