WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE - A judge ruled today the Louisiana Board of Ethics doesn’t have the final say in ethics violations concerning political candidates.

Governor Bobby Jindal carried the mantle of ethics reform into office and onto the legislative agenda when he first took office in 2008. Two years later, the Board is still evolving from those changes.

A representative of the Public Affairs Research Council told News 2 off camera the change is an example of the Board continuing to lose its oversight.

Just last year, at least five members left the Board, fearing ethics reform would strip it of its power.

The Board is still able to receive complaints, review reports and investigate matters where there has been a violation of campaign finance disclosure law, according to ethics administrator Kathleen Allen.

The Board is meeting next week and will get a chance to decide whether or not it wants to appeal today's ruling.