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Appearance in connection with a request that the Board waive the $2,500 campaign finance late fee assessed against Regina Bartholomew, a candidate for Judge, Orleans Civil District Court, in the October 22, 2011 election, whose 90-P campaign finance disclosure report was filed 134 days late. |
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In connection with her request for a waiver of the $2,500 late fee assessed for the late filing of a 90-P campaign finance report, Regina Bartholomew, states that she has always complied with the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act and ask that the Board consider her history of timely filing. She states that the October 22, 2011 election was a special election called to fill a vacancy on the court when Judge Rose Ledet was elected to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal. There was confusion as to when a special election would be called to fill her seat.
The special election could not be called until Judge Ledet submitted her formal resignation to the Secretary of State. The reporting period for the 90-P report ended prior to the special election being called. The last day of the 90-P reporting period was July 14, 2011 and the special election was called on July 15, 2011. Ms. Bartholomew maintains that once the election was called, she was concerned about her reporting requirements and she personally called, as well as her report preparer, and spoke to a member of the Campaign Finance staff to inquire about any reports that she was required to file.
Ms. Bartholomew maintains that they were both informed that no report was due. The 30-P report filed by Judge Bartholomew on August 8, 2011 indicated that, dating back to April of 2011, she had more than $77,000 in loans to her campaign and more than $40,000 in expenditures made in anticipation of the Special election.
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ELECTION: October 22, 2011
TYPE OF REPORT: 90-P
DAYS LATE: 134
ASSESSED FEE: $2,500
REPORT DUE: July 25, 2011
REPORT FILED: December 6, 2012
ACTIVITY REPORTED:
$3,438.85 in receipts, $3,438.85 in disbursements, and $0 in funds on hand
OTHER LATE FILINGS: None
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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.
18:1485C. Each candidate for a major or district office and each principal campaign committee of a candidate for a major or district office shall electronically file reports of contributions and expenditures with the supervisory committee. Effective January 1, 2012, Act 25 of the 2008 2nd Extraordinary Session requires Major and District office level candidates to electronically file campaign finance disclosure reports. A report is considered not filed until it is filed electronically.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Aneatra Boykin |
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