Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 13-437
 
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RE:
Request that the Board waive the $400 campaign finance late fee assessed against Demetria Robinson Carter, a candidate for St. John the Baptist Parish Council, in the October 22, 2011 election, whose Supplemental campaign finance disclosure report was filed 10 days late.
Facts:
In connection with her request for a waiver of the $400 late fee assessed for the late filing of a Supplemental campaign finance report, Demetria Robinson Carter, states that her home was severely damaged by Hurricane Isaac on August 29, 2012 and her office had flood damage. She has been working tirelessly to repair her home and navigate through the insurance and SBA claims process. In addition, her mother was hospitalized with 4 blood clots, one in each arm and one in each leg on December 30, 2012 and subsequently released from the hospital on March 28, 2013.
She has been at the hospital every day with her mother. She was in and out of her home briefly over the last 90 days. Ms. Carter maintains that she received a letter from the Ethics Board that was addressed to her on the envelope, however, inside the envelope was a letter addressed to someone else.

The October 22, 2011 election was her first run for public office, and due to all the stress with her mother and home, she did not realize that she was required to file a Supplemental report. She thought that because the letter was not addressed to her and she received it in error, she called the office to notify about the mailing error. It was at that time that she was told that she was required to file a report and a new form would be mailed to her. Upon receiving the 2nd correspondence, she was in and out of her home so much, that the mail was buried with other mail, due to having to take care of her mother.

As soon as she noticed that her report was not filed, she immediately filed her report. Ms. Carter ask that the Board waive the $400 late fee, as the late fee would be a financial hardship on her family. Ms. Carter is an any other level candidate. She was an unsuccessful candidate.

Comments:
ELECTION: October 22, 2011
TYPE OF REPORT: Supplemental
DAYS LATE: 10
ASSESSED FEE: $400
REPORT DUE: February 15, 2013

REPORT FILED: February 25, 2013
ACTIVITY REPORTED:
$0 in receipts, $500 in disbursements, and $37.02 funds on hand
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.

Recommendations:
Suspend all but $100 based on future compliance.
Assigned Attorney: Aneatra Boykin
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2013-437- Waiver Request