Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 13-963
 
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RE:
Unitmely waiver request submitted by Maria Dugas, a member of the Board of Examiners for Private investigators, regarding a $1,500 late fee assessed for filing her 2011 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 40 days late.
Facts:
The waiver request was due by May 7, 2013 and filed on May 17, 2013. Ms. Dugas states that she has recently failed the Louisiana Bar Exam for the second time and was in the process of preparing to re-take the bar exam in July 2013. She also states that she has a physical disability which has required her to re-do her testing information to be submitted to the Committee on Bar Admissions in preparation for the July 2013 bar exam. This along with helping take care of her Uncle's ill wife delayed her response to the late fee assessment.

As to the late filing, Ms. Dugas asserts that she recalls timely filing the 2011 Tier 2.1 annual pfd in May 2012 even though she was in the middle of completing and graduating from Loyola University's College of Law. She states that she was in the middle of moving back from New Orleans where she moved for a week to focus on final exams. She also began the process of preparing for the July 2012 bar exam.

When the notice of delinquency was received, she was in the process of preparing for the February 2013 bar exam and living back at her apartment in New Orleans. She was unable to access her records to file the report.

Comments:
TYPE OF REPORT: 2011 Tier 2.1 Annual Report
DATE NOD RECEIVED: January 2, 2013
DATE REPORT FILED: March 4, 2013
DAYS LATE: 40 days

ASSESSED LATE FEE: $1,500
OTHER LATE FILINGS: No

Law:
La. R.S. 42:1124.4 of the Code provides that upon discovery of the failure to file, failure to timely file, omission of information or inaccurate information, the Board shall notify the filer by sending him a notice of delinquency by certified mail. The notice of delinquency shall inform the person that the financial statement must be filed, or that the information must be disclosed or accurately disclosed, or that a written answer contesting the allegation of such failure, omission, or inaccuracy must be filed no later than seven (7) business days after receipt of the notice of delinquency.
La. R.S. 42:1124.2.1 requires financial disclosure for each member and designee of a board or commission which has the authority to expend, disburse or invest $10,000 or more of funds in a fiscal year on or before May 15th of each year during which the person holds office and the year following termination of the holding of such office.

Recommendations:
Decline to consider. Waiver is untimely.


Assigned Attorney: Tracy Barker
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2013-963- Waiver Request