Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 16-1197
 
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RE:
Appearance in connection with a request that the Board waive the $2,500 and $900 campaign finance late fees assessed against Michael Betts, in his capacity as a candidate for District Judge / 21st Judicial District Court, Division A, Livingston Parish, in the November 4, 2014 election, his committee's chairperson, Lamar Davis, and treasurer, Laurie Kilpatrick, whose 2015 and 2016 supplemental campaign finance disclosure reports were inaccurately filed 374 and 9 days late, respectively.
Facts:
All required amended reports have been filed. The amended 2015 Supplemental report filed on April 19, 2018 closed out the November 4, 2014 election. Therefore, the 2016 Supplemental was not required to be filed.


Michael A. Betts states that when he initially announced he was running for District Court Judge, he was advised to use the old Leaders program, which they already had downloaded and used for the 2008 campaign. He states he received notice in reference to a "deficit and surplus" for 2014 campaign and another stating there was a "deficit" for the 2008 campaign. He states they made attempts to correct problems and have been in communications with the Ethics office. Mr. Betts states that he has a medical condition in which the doctors consider him 100% disabled and, after being flooded, he underwent a one week radical new treatment. He states that all of his records were sitting on the floor in his office when it received almost four feet of water, beginning on August 15, 2016, and were completely destroyed, along with his computer.
Comments:
ELECTION: November 4, 2014
TYPE OF REPORT: 2015 Supplemental, 2016 Supplemental
ASSESSED FEE: $2,500, $900
REPORT DUE: February 16, 2016, February 15, 2017
AMENDED REPORT FILED: April 19 2018; April 19, 2018
ACTIVITY REPORTED: Amended 2015 Supplemental: $50,780.61 in Receipts, $51,615.61 in Disbursements and $0 Funds on Hand at Close of Reporting Period (Personal Loan Repayments)

Amended 2016 Supplemental: $0 in Receipts, $0 in Disbursements and $0 Funds on Hand at Close of Reporting Period

OTHER LATE FILINGS: 2


10-P - $200 - paid


EDE-P - $100, suspended -Reassessed on 8/02/2016 - outstanding
Law:
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 for each day until such report is filed. 18:1484.(2)(b). Each candidate for any other public office shall file reports of contributions in excess of two hundred dollars in the aggregate during the aggregating period.
Recommendations:
Suspend all but $300 for the 2015 Supplemental report based on future compliance. The late fee must be paid within 30 days or the suspended portion becomes due and owing.


Rescind the late fee for the 2016 Supplemental report.

Assigned Attorney: Jennifer Land
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2016-1197 Waiver Request
2016-1197 Correspondence from Michael Betts