Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 18-634
 
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RE:
Request that the Board waive $3,000, $3,000 and $1,600 campaign finance late fees assessed against LA Credit Union Legislative Action Council, a political action committee, its committee's chairperson, Sidney Parfait, and treasurer, Anne Cochran, in the March 24, 2018 election, whose 90-P, 30-P & 10-P campaign finance disclosure reports were filed 29, 28 and 8 days late, respectively.
Facts:
Angela Gervais, Director of Governmental Affairs, states that on October 31, 2017, a donation of $500 was made to the campaign of Joe Lopinto. This donation, unbeknownst to her, would require her to file a special report according to the rules of what she knows now to be running an election in a large municipality. After numerous conversations and tutelage, she states she understands the difference and how to better read the stipulations on certain elections. Upon understanding the issue, she states she proceeded to file the reports that day. In relation to this fine, she would like to request a one-time waiver as the combined amount of penalties at this time are $7,600.00 for her initial $500 donation.
Comments:
ELECTION: March 24, 2018
TYPES OF REPORT: 90-P, 30-P & 10-P
DAYS LATE: 29, 28 and 8
ASSESSED FEE: $3,000, $3,000 and $1,600
REPORTS DUE: December 27, 2017, February 22, 2018, and March 14, 2018
REPORTS FILED: January 25, 2018, March 22, 2018 and March 22, 2018
ACTIVITY REPORTED: 90-P - $10,258.26 in Receipts; $6,484.70 in Disbursements and $32,321.16 Funds on Hand at the Close of Reporting Period


30-P - $503.93 in Receipts; $3,247.17 in Disbursements and $29,577.92 Funds on Hand at the Close of Reporting Period


10-P - $5.49 in Receipts; $13.45 in Disbursements and $29,583.41 Funds on Hand at Close of Reporting Period

OTHER LATE FILINGS: 1
4/29/2017 Election: 10-G (68 days late) - $3,000 - Paid

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.

18:1505.4C(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A of this Section and the provisions of R.S.18:1511.4.1, for a committee that is supporting, opposing, or otherwise influencing the nomination or election of a person to public office, the maximum amount of the penalty that shall be imposed for knowingly failing to file or knowingly failing to timely file any report required by this Chapter for a special election shall be the total of the expenditures made for the purpose of supporting, opposing, or otherwise influencing the nomination or election of a person or persons to public office in such special election or the maximum penalty under the provisions of Subsection A of this Section, whichever is less.(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section and the provisions of R.S. 18

Recommendations:
Suspend all but $500 for the 90-P report.


Rescind the late fee for the 30-P and 10-P reports.


Assigned Attorney: Jennifer Land
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2018-634 Waiver Request