Lawmakers disclose their income sources

• By MARSHA SHULER
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Jul 2, 2008 - Page: 4A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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The chairman of the Louisiana House committee with oversight over gambling laws reported Tuesday receiving $16,000 from video poker interests.

State Rep. Ernest Wooten, R-Belle Chasse, was one of a handful of legislators reporting business income from gambling interests on annual disclosure reports that are filed July 1 each year.

The reports cover the 2007 income that legislators, their spouses and businesses received from government entities and the gambling industry.

Reporting changes next year would provide a more detailed look at the personal finances of legislators, including sources of income both public and private, liabilities, property ownership and investments.

Wooten said he was a consultant for Redman Gaming of La. LLC, a video poker business. “They were looking to do some business in the area,” Wooten said.

The work preceded his becoming chairman of the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee and he no longer works for the company, Wooten said.

Other legislators reporting income from gambling sources include:

• State Rep. Ricky Templet, R-Gretna, $9,197 from Metro Gaming & Amusement Co. to a company he and his wife jointly own.
• State Rep. Jerry Gisclair, D-Larose, who reported $65,900 in radio station income from gambling interests.
• State Rep. Gordon Dove, R-Houma, reported that a restaurant in which he is part owner received $23,328 from B&L Amusements Co., related to video poker operations.

The husband of state Sen. Ann Duplessis, D-New Orleans, made $43,500 from Churchill Downs Louisiana Horse Racing Co. and the husband of state Sen. Willie Mount, D-Lake Charles, a lawyer, made $3,573 representing Redman Gaming.

Lottery ticket sales brought $5,148 in income to a supermarket of state Sen. Reggie Dupré, D-Houma.

Forty-four out of 104 current Louisiana House members reported government or gambling-related income by either themselves, their spouses or their businesses in 2007 as did 19 of 38 current Louisiana Senate members.

Much of the government income on the House side came from elected or appointed government jobs they held prior to becoming legislators — such as a mayor, a parish president, school board and police jury members and a city councilman.

State Rep. Sam Jones, D-Franklin, reported making $95,511 as a legislative liaison for former Gov. Kathleen Blanco. State Rep Patrick Connick, R-Harvey, received $8,100 as the appointed magistrate for the town of Grand Isle.

Others reported income for employment in a professional capacity at various Louisiana colleges. State Sen. Yvonne Dorsey, D-Baton Rouge, had income of $40,623 from the Louisiana Technical College while state Rep. Nita Hutter, R-Chalmette, received $91,684 from Delgado Community College.

State Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, made $337,127 as a physician for the LSU Health Sciences Center.