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Waiver request submitted by Reginald Higgins, with the East Baton Rouge Parish Fire Protection District, District 6, regarding a $250 late fee assessed for filing his amended 2018 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 5 days late. |
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Mr. Higgins is requesting a waiver request for the following reasons:
The late fee was assessed for the late filing of the 2018 amendment, which is not addressed in Mr. Higgins' waiver. However, Fire Chief, Joel Hancock wrote on behalf of Mr. Higgins regarding the untimely amendment.
Mr. Higgins stated he completed and submitted his 2018 PFD in a timely manner and the forms were mailed before the deadline. He feels he should not be penalized for something that was out of his control. As of May 2018, Mr. Higgins is a retired teacher from EBR School Board and his wife is a retired state employee. Mr. Higgins stated he is only receiving these forms because of a pending issue he has with the IRS.
Fire Chief, Joel Hancock stated that Mr. Higgins assists all the Commissioners on the Fire Protection District 6 Board with filling out their PFD's. However, was unaware that the retirement income should have been disclosed. Mr. Hancock went on to say that their Commissioners are volunteers who selflessly serve District 6 and citizens without remuneration. Mr. Hancock stated Mr. Higgins has served over 25 years on the fire departments Board of Commissioners on a voluntary basis and has selflessly given numerous hours serving the district and the community without financial benefit. Mr. Hancock stated that not disclosing the retirement income was an innocent oversight and formally request the Board of Ethics to waive the penalties against Mr. Higgins.
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TYPE OF REPORT: 2018 Tier 2.1 Annual Report - Amendment
ORIGINAL FILING DATE: May 15, 2019
DATE NOD RECEIVED: August 6, 2019 (personally signed green card)
DATE REPORT FILED: August 20, 2019
DAYS LATE FROM NOD: 5 days
DAYS LATE FROM ORIGINAL DUE DATE: 97 days
ASSESSED LATE FEE: $250
OUTSTANDING PFD LATE FEES: None
OUTSTANDING CF LATE FEES: None
OUTSTANDING DISCLOSURE REPORTS: None
PRIOR EXPERIENCE: has filed 12 reports or amendments
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La. R.S. 42:1124.2.1
requires financial disclosure for each member and designee of a board or commission which has the authority to expend, disburse or invest $10,000 or more of funds in a fiscal year 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 based on future compliance with the reporting requirements under the Code of Ethics.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Tracy Barker |
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