Whenever the governor ascertains that any public officer, whose office is established by an act of the legislature, has given adhesion to or recognized the authority of any usurper as provided in R.S. 42:71 and 42:72, he may declare that the officer has forfeited his office, and fill the vacancy by appointment under the provisions of the constitution and laws regulating appointments to fill vacancies.
La. Public Officers and Employees § 42:73