Opinion Number

Dear Mr. Grubb:

You have requested an opinion from this office regarding whether Caddo Parish ("The Parish") has an obligation to return funds received as a bonus on a mineral lease when the Parish was ultimately determined not to possess title to the subject property. You have also asked if such a return of a bonus would constitute a violation of La.Const. Art. VII, § 14. We will review the specific facts and the applicable law below. However, it is our opinion that the Parish does not have an obligation to return the bonus and that such a return would constitute a violation of La.Const. Art.…