| Request for reconsideration of the $280, $100 (reduced from$500), $80, and $280 late fees assessed against Craig B. Lee, a candidate for Councilman, District B, City of Shreveport, in the October 2, 2010 election, whose 30-P,10-P, 10-G, and Special campaign finance reports were filed 7, 13, 2, and 7 days late. |
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This matter was appealed by Mr. Lee to the EAB. EAB dismissed Mr. Lee's appeal and upheld the Board's fines. The Board first considered Mr. Lee's request for a waiver of the late fees at its December 17, 2010 meeting. At that time, Mr. Lee stated in his waiver requests that during his campaign, his treasurer, George Lewis, became ill and underwent surgery. Mr. Lewis' father became ill and Mr. Lewis resigned as treasurer to care for his father. No medical documentation was supplied at that time. The Board declined to waive and MR. Lee appealed the assessments to the EAB.
On February 15, 2013, Mr. Lee requested reconsideration of the matter to the Ethics Board while the matter was pending before the EAB. Mr. Lee has provided an additional affidavit for the Board's consideration regarding his claim. Kameko Thomas attests that Mr. Lewis was campaign manager for Mr. Lee during the 2010 election, however, he was unable to continue as campaign manager due to illness and the sickness of his father. Ms. Thomas' affidavit also states that she then became his campaign manager, and sometime in May of 2010, she took ill and was unable to continue her duties as campaign manager.The additional documentation presented reflected that the report preparer/treasurer became ill and resigned as report preparer in May of 2010. Thereafter it became the responsibility of Mr. Lee to file his reports. The reports were due five months after the resignation of his treasurer/report preparer in September of 2010. The Board suspended all but $100 for the 10-P and decline to waive the other fines.
Considering the decision of the Board, the hearing with the EAB was scheduled for June 14, 2013. Mr. Lee failed to appear for the hearing and in accordance with LAC 1:III.531.B his appeal was dismissed.
Mr. Lee would like for the Board to consider the fact that on May 31, 2013 he was informed that he might have Lymphoma. During the week of June 11, 2013 when he was scheduled to have a pre-conference and conference telephone calls, he underwent a Pet scan and surgical biopsy to determine what type of Lymphoma he may have. He states that he did not attend his hearing before the EAB due to the medical testing. He is requesting the board waive 50% of his late fees and then he is requesting a payment plan of $70.00 per month.
Mr. Lee is an any other level candidate. This is his first campaign. He was an unsuccessful candidate.
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ELECTION: October 2, 2010
TYPE OF REPORTS: 30-P,10-P, Special, and 10-G
DAYS LATE: 7, 13, 2, and 7
ASSESSED FEES: $280, $100(reduced from $500), $80, and $280
REPORTS DUE: September 2, 2010, September 22, 2010, September 30, 2010, and October 25, 2010
REPORTS FILED: September 9, 2010, September 30, 2010, October 5, 2010, and November 1, 2010
ACTIVITY REPORTED:
30-P-$4,475 in receipts, $4,179 in disbursements, and $246 in funds on hand
10-P-$500 in receipts, $375 in disbursements, and $370 in funds on hand
Special-$300 contribution received on 9/27/10
10-G-$350 in receipts, $139.64 in disbursements, and $-180.47 in funds on hand
OTHER LATE FILINGS: None
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18:1505.4.A(1) Any candidate, the treasurer or chairman of a political committee, or any other person required to file any reports under this Chapter, who knowingly fails to file or who knowingly fails to timely file any such reports as are required by this Chapter may be assessed a civil penalty as provided in R.S.42:1157 for each day until such report is filed.
Rule 1205B provides that the staff may rescind the fine of a candidate if the candidate or the person responsible for filing his reports is ill, dies, has death or illness or there is a natural disaster the day the report is due or within 10 days prior to the due date of the report.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Aneatra Boykin |
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