Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 13-020
 
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RE:
Appearance in connection with a request that the Board waive the $1,000 and $400 campaign finance late fee assessed against Louis "Nick" Joseph, a candidate for Tangipahoa Parish Council, District 3, in the November 6, 2012 election, whose 30-P and EDE-P campaign finance disclosure reports were filed 55 and 17 days late.
Facts:
In connection with his request for a waiver of the $1,000 and $400 late fees assessed for the late filings of a 30-P and EDE-P campaign finance reports, Louis "Nick" Joseph states that the November 6, 2012 election was his first run for a parish wide office. Prior to that, he served on the Independence City Council for a few years, and at that time the threshold amount that a candidate could spend before having to file a report was $5,000. Mr. Joseph maintains that he did not realize that the amount decreased to $2,500. Mr. Joseph states that he did not intend to disobey or violate the statute, as he has taken an oath to protect and defend the constitution and laws of Louisiana.

Mr. Joseph received a copy of the qualifying packet for any other level candidates, which provided information regarding the requirement for reporting expenditures of $2,500; as evidenced by his signature on the acknowledgment of receipt of information (see attached documentation). Also, Mr. Joseph received correspondence dated November 27, 2012, informing him that his 10-G report filed on November 27, 2012, indicated that he was required to file 30-P, 10-P, and EDE-P campaign finance disclosure reports.This is the candidate's sixth campaign.

Comments:
ELECTION: November 6, 2012
TYPE OF REPORTS: 30-P and EDE-P

DAYS LATE: 55 and 17

ASSESSED FEES: $1,000 and $400

REPORTS DUE: October 9, 2012 and November 16, 2012

REPORTS FILED: December 3, 2012

ACTIVITY REPORTED:

30-P-$0 in receipts, $5,654.22 in disbursements, and $4,345.78 in funds on hand

EDE-P-$0 activity

OTHER LATE FILINGS: None

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 as provided in R.S.42:1157 for each day until such report is filed.

18:1484.(2)(a). Each candidate for any other public office shall file reports of expenditures in excess of two thousand five hundred dollars. Effective August 1, 2012, Act 411 of the 2012 Regular Session requires candidates for any other public office who make expenditures in excess of $2,500 to file campaign finance disclosure reports. The previous threshold amount was $5,000.

Recommendations:
Decline to waive.
Assigned Attorney: Aneatra Boykin
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2013-020- Waiver request
2013-020- Louis _Nick_ Joseph-appearance letter
2013-020- Louis L. Joseph-proof of receipt of qualifying packet
2013-020- Louis _Nick_ Joseph-correspondence of 11/27/12