| Untimely waiver request submitted by Ronald Goff, a former member of the Winnfield City Council and former Mayor of the City of Winnfield, regarding a $2,500 late fee assessed for filing his 2009 Tier 2 candidate pfd 196 days late and a timley waiver request regarding a $2,500 late fee assessed for filing his 2010 Tier 2 annual pfd 512 days late. |
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Ronald Goff served as a councilman for the City Winnfield until he resigned in October 2009 as he was appointed interim Mayor for the City of Winnfield. He served in this capacity until the new Mayor was elected in March 2010. As such, Mr. Goff was required to file a Tier 2 annual pfd covering calendar year 2010 by May 15, 2011 for his position as Mayor which was the year following the termination of his office. A notice of delinquency was issued to Mr. Goff; however, at the time, it was unknown that he was no longer a councilman and the notice requested he file a Tier 3 pfd. Mr. Goff did not respond to the notice of delinquency and he was issued a "second notice." In response to the "second notice," it was determined that Mr. Goff owed a Tier 2 rather than a Tier 3. However, since the notice of delinquency requested the wrong pfd, and that notice of delinquency put him on notice of a $1,500 late fee rather than the $2,500 late fee, it is staff's position that this late fee be reduced to $1,500.
Mr. Goff also ran unsuccessfully in the March 2010 election and did not file his 2009 Tier 2 candidate pfd timely. Nor did he request a waiver of this late fee.
Mr. Goff states that he is totally disabled and unemployed. His only means of income are his Social Security Benefits of $1,466/month.
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TYPE OF REPORT: 2009 Tier 2 Candidate
DATE NOD RECEIVED: May 1, 2010
DATE REPORT FILED: December 2, 2010
DAYS LATE: 196 days
ASSESSED LATE FEE: $1,500
TYPE OF REPORT: 2010 Tier 2 Annual
DATE NOD RECEIVED: July 29, 2011
DATE REPORT FILED: January 11, 2013
DAYS LATE: 512 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
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La. R.S. 18:1495.7A requires any person who becomes a candidate for an office for which the holder of the office is required to file financial disclosure statements pursuant to R.S. 42:1124, 1124.2, or 1124.3 shall file a financial disclosure statement as required by R.S. 42:1124, 1124.2, or 1124.3 for the office for which he is a candidate. The statement required by this Section shall be filed within ten (10) days of the day the candidate filed his notice of candidacy for the office.
La. R.S. 42:1124.2 requires each person holding a public office who represents a voting district having a population of 5,000 or more persons to file an annual personal 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.
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2009 - Suspend all but $1,000 based on future compliance.
2010 - Reduce to $1,500, decline to waive.
Offer a payment plan.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Tracy Barker |
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