Transparency Notice, Terms of Use & Privacy Policy – Louisiana Recovery Authority

Our Mission & Legal Identity

The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is an independent, non-governmental news and watchdog organization dedicated to governmental oversight, investigative journalism, and strategic community recovery in Louisiana. Our core mission is to champion transparency, expose misconduct and inefficiency, and advocate for a resident-first model of governance. We operate as a privately-funded news outlet, and all our activities, including publication and news-gathering, are protected under the First Amendment and relevant state laws safeguarding free speech and freedom of the press.

Our work is conducted in the public interest to facilitate lawful civic engagement and democratic accountability. We expressly disavow and do not encourage any unlawful conduct.

Terms of Use & Purpose of Content

By accessing this website, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

• Informational Use: All content is provided solely for informational, educational, and civic engagement purposes. You assume full responsibility for your interpretation and use of the information.
• No Warranties: The LRA provides content on an "as-is" basis. No warranties, express or implied, regarding accuracy, completeness, or fitness for a particular purpose are granted.
• Independence: This website is not affiliated with, funded by, or controlled by any government agency, entity, or political party.
• User Conduct and Liability: You agree to use the information provided solely for lawful purposes and in a manner that does not infringe on the rights of others or restrict their use of public spaces. The LRA’s reporting is intended to spur democratic and legal accountability mechanisms, such as contacting officials, voting, and filing ethical complaints. Any unlawful actions taken by users are their sole responsibility and are not a foreseeable consequence of the LRA’s protected speech. By using this site, you waive any claim that the LRA is liable for the independent, unlawful acts of third parties.

Naming & Redaction Policy: A Commitment to Justice and Due Process

A cornerstone of our ethical framework is the distinction between public officials and private individuals. Our naming policy is designed to hold power accountable while protecting those without it.

• Public Officials & Figures (Full Name Publication): We will publish the full names of individuals who hold significant public power and authority, and who have voluntarily assumed a role of public scrutiny. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Elected officials (Mayor, City Council, etc.)
• Appointed officials and members of special counsel
• Department supervisors and directors
• Members of public boards, committees, and agencies
  These individuals are central to our mission of accountability, as their decisions directly impact public trust and community welfare.
• Protected Individuals (Systematic Redaction): To safeguard due process and prevent retaliatory punishment, we will redact the names of:
• Government employees
• Inspectors
• Contractors
• Whistleblowers
• Any private citizen not falling into the "public official" category above.
  The protection of these individuals is paramount. They are often the most vulnerable to retaliation when systemic violations of law, ordinance, or constitution are exposed.

Notice & Disclaimer: The Public Interest and Our Methods

All information presented is gathered in the public interest to promote transparency and accountability in government operations. Our content is derived from:

• Publicly accessible records (FOIA, court documents, meeting minutes).
• Investigative journalism conducted by our staff.
• Communications with government entities.

The publication of this information is a protected journalistic activity intended to inform the citizenry and shine a light on governmental actions and inactions. The LRA's explicit purpose is to instigate public pressure and democratic action to correct governmental failures and remove officials who violate the public trust.

No Guarantee of Accuracy: While we strive for accuracy, the dynamic nature of government records means we cannot guarantee the ongoing validity of all information at all times.

Privacy Expectation: None

This is a fundamental principle of our operation. By engaging with government entities or activities of public concern, individuals and officials should have no expectation of privacy regarding those functions

• No Data Collection: We do not collect personal data from our general website visitors.
• No Confidentiality: All communications with the LRA, whether from public officials or private citizens, are considered non-confidential and may be reviewed, analyzed, shared, or published without restriction, in accordance with our editorial judgment and applicable law.
• Public Accountability: All individuals and entities referenced, particularly public officials, should assume their roles and decisions are subject to public observation, scrutiny, and accountability measures through our publications.

Indemnification & Hold Harmless

By accessing, using, or distributing information from this website, you agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Louisiana Recovery Authority, its contributors, employees, authors, researchers, sources, and any associated parties from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from your use, interpretation, or dissemination of the content.

This includes any legal action taken against you or us as a result of the information we have published. This agreement affirms our right, as a news-gathering organization, to record and publish information concerning matters of public interest, in accordance with the law.

This indemnification specifically extends to any claims brought under legal theories such as "negligent precipitation" or similar tort doctrines, where a plaintiff alleges that our publications foreseeably led to the unlawful conduct of a third party. We maintain that our speech is protected and that we cannot control nor be held liable for the independent actions of others.

Advocacy for Lawful Civic Engagement

A core tenet of our ethics is that effective, lasting change is achieved through lawful means.
Therefore, we explicitly state our commitment to the following principles:

• We advocate for peaceful, lawful, and constructive civic participation. This includes contacting elected representatives, attending public meetings, filing ethical complaints, using legal protest channels, and voting.
• We explicitly condemn and do not incite violence, property damage, threats, or the unlawful obstruction of public passages. We believe such actions undermine the cause of good governance and public trust.
• The foreseeable outcome we seek and promote through our work is an increase in lawful democratic engagement and government transparency, not civil unrest or illegality.

Last Updated: November 26, 2025.