Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 17-443
 
Print
RE:
Request from David Vitter to waive the $1,050 late fee assessed for filing a late registration and $500 late fee assessed for the late filing of the February 2017 Lobbying Expenditure Report.
Facts:
The waiver request was submitted by Adina Taluto, Lobbying Compliance officer for Mercury. Ms. Taluto is requesting a waiver for Mr. Vitter's late registration and late filing of a February 2017 expenditure report. Ms. Taluto states that Mercury's process of on-boarding the Louisiana Board of Ethics as a vendor delayed the registration payment, and, in turn, they were unable to file a timely February lobbying expenditure report. She states that Mercury is a first time filer with the Board of Ethics. Ms. Taluto states that Mr. Vitter's lobbying activity occurred on March 13.

Comments:
REPORT: Late Registration and February 2017 Lobbying Expenditure Report

REPORT DUE: March 15, 2017 and March 27, 2017

REPORT FILED: April 5, 2017 and April 6, 2017

DAYS LATE: 21 DAYS and 10 DAYS

FEE ASSESSED: $1,050, $500

ACTIVITY REPORTED: $0.00

OTHER LATE FILINGS: NONE

REGISTERED BRANCHES: Executive/Legislative (Terminated on 7/31/17)

Law:
La. R.S. 24:53 provides that "each lobbyist shall register with the board as soon as possible after employment as a lobbyist or after the first action requiring his registration as a lobbyist, whichever occurs first, and in any event not later than five days after employment as a lobbyist or not later than five days after the first action requiring his registration as a lobbyist, whichever occurs first."

La R.S. 24:55 provides that registered lobbyist shall file a monthly expenditure report by the 25th day of the subsequent month.

Recommendations:
Late Registration: Waive the late fee.

Expenditure report: Suspend all of the $500 late fee based on future compliance.


Assigned Attorney: Kathleen Allen
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2017-443 Waiver Request