| Reconsideration of the Board's denial of a waiver request submitted by Juanita R. Calhoun, a member of the Village of Ashland Council - Natchitoches Parish, regarding a $750 late fee assessed for filing her 2014 Tier 3 annual pfd 15 days late. |
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Ms. Calhoun is requesting reconsideration because she states that she cannot afford the late fee. She states that she is the sole caretaker of her mother, who suffers from kidney failure. The Mayor submitted a letter on her behalf stating that Ms. Calhoun takes her mother to dialysis three times a week and that her mother has frequent emergencies to the hospital in Shreveport, which she transports her to and from.
Ms. Calhoun submitted a document from her bank showing her checking account activity for the month of October 2015, which shows a balance of $59.55 and no other activity.
INITIAL INFORMATION:
Ms. Calhoun states that she is requesting a waiver because the late fee would cause a financial hardship. She states that she is currently unemployed and taking care of her disabled mother. A request has been sent to Ms. Calhoun asking her to submit documentation to support her claim. If a response is received, it will be presented to the Board at the meeting.
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TYPE OF REPORT: 2014 Tier 3 Annual PFD Report
DUE DATE: May 15, 2015
DATE NOD RECEIVED: July 15, 2015 [personally signed green card]
DATE REPORT FILED: August 8, 2015
DAYS LATE FROM NOD: 15 days
DAYS LATE FROM DUE DATE: 85 days
ASSESSED LATE FEE: $750
OUTSTANDING PFD LATE FEES: None
OUTSTANDING CF LATE FEES: None
OUTSTANDING DISCLOSURE REPORTS: None
PRIOR LATE FEES SUSPENDED/WAIVED: None
Ms. Calhoun has been filing since she qualified for the October 2010 election. Current term ends in January 2019.
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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.
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Suspend all but $250 based on future compliance with the reporting requirements under the Code of Ethics and offer a payment plan.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Tracy Barker |
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