Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 14-432
 
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RE:
Waiver request submitted by David Fruge, Mayor of the Village of Mermentau, Acadia Parish, regarding a $1,500 late fee assessed for filing his 2011 Tier 3 annual pfd 209 days late.
Facts:
Mr. Fruge states that he just became aware that there are two pages to the pfd and once he was notified, he sent in the amendment. However, this late fee was not assessed for failure to timely amend. The late fee was assessed for failing to timely file the 2011 pfd.

Mr. Fruge did receive a notice of delinquency to amend his 2012 pfd, which he amended within the grace period and was not assessed a late fee. Mr. Fruge appears to be confusing the two reports.

Mr. Fruge also points out that the late fee is more than twice his annual salary as Mayor. He also states that he owns his own company that requires a lot of his time and effort leaving little time to follow up on village business.

A request for additional information supporting any claim for financial hardship was transmitted to Mr. Fruge with a May 14, 2014 due date. No response has been received.

Comments:
TYPE OF REPORT: 2011 Tier 3 Annual Report
DATE NOD RECEIVED: April 30, 2013
DATE REPORT FILED: December 4, 2013
DAYS LATE: 209 days

ASSESSED LATE FEE: $1,500
OUTSTANDING PFD LATE FEES: None

OUTSTANDING CF LATE FEES: None

OUTSTANDING DISCLOSURE REPORTS: None

PRIOR LATE FEES SUSPENDED/WAIVED: None

Law:
La. R.S. 42:1124.3 requires persons holding a public office who represent a voting district having a population of less than 5,000 and each member of the governing authority or management board of a charter school created pursuant to Chapter 42 of Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 to file a financial disclosure statement 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.
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.

Recommendations:
Decline to waive.

Assigned Attorney: Tracy Barker
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2014-432: Waiver Request