| Untimely waiver request submitted by Rodneyna Melene Hart, former member of the Louisiana State Arts Council, regarding a $1500 late fee assessed for filing her 2018 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 31 days late and a timely waiver request regarding a $1500 late fee for filing her 2019 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 97 days late. |
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Mrs. Rodeyna Hart stated "a series of extenuating circumstances that predicated her resignation from the LSAC" contributed to her late filing. On 11/7/2019, she states she officially resigned from the council, as she was not allotted the time from her work schedule to attend the LSAC Meetings. When she resigned she stated she thought all of the responsibilities associated with the board would also cease. Her husband Phillip Hart, usually filed their taxes. However, she states he became disabled in 2019. She had to take on tasks that Mr. Hart would historically complete without her, as he "cannot reliably pay bills on time or complete most household tasks." Their 2018 taxes were filed 11/20/2019.
She further stated that she was announced as the Mid-City, Grand Marshal of Mardi Gras on 1/6/2020. This was a much more enormous undertaking, than she realized; she had to make many appearances and attend associated events. She stated her husband signed for the NOD-FF (on 1/15/2020), but did not give her the mail until 1/18/2020, when he pulled it from a stack of mail held in a box for days - that he had forgotten to give to her.
She states that her best friend since college, Alex Becnel, died on 1/19/2020, from an apparent overdose. She stated she was in a "fog and focused on keeping up appearances" for her Mardi Gras duties and work; All while consoling the grieving family, helping with the arrangements as much as she could from Baton Rouge, writing his eulogy, working her full-time job running 4 museums as the Director for the LA State Museum, and closing out the last month of her position as the Curator of the Healthcare Gallery. She stated she "absentmindedly" put the NOD-FF in her purse. And on 2/27/2020 when she found it, she filed the missing PFD. She then spoke with LSAC employee, Cheryl Castille about filing and Ms. Castile agreed to help Mrs. Hart with submitting a waiver or appeal. Unfortunately, Ms. Castille passed away on 9/20/2020 and she was unable to get the help Ms. Castille offered. *The LA State Arts Council and Office of Cultural Development, submitted this letter on Mrs. Hart's behalf, requesting the Ethics Board consider Mrs. Hart's Untimely Waiver Request.
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TYPE OF REPORT: 2018 Tier 2.1 Annual Report
ORIGINAL FILING DATE: May 15, 2019
DATE NOD RECEIVED: 1/15/2020 (husband signed green card)
DATE REPORT FILED: 2/27/2020
DAYS LATE FROM NOD: 31 days
DAYS LATE FROM ORIGINAL DUE DATE: 288 days
ASSESSED LATE FEE: $1500
TYPE OF REPORT: 2019 Tier 2.1 Annual Report
ORIGINAL FILING DATE: 7/5/2020
DATE NOD RECEIVED: 9/30/2020 (COVID designation)
DATE REPORT FILED: 1/14/2021
DAYS LATE FROM NOD:97 days
DAYS LATE FROM ORIGINAL DUE DATE: 220 days
ASSESSED LATE FEE: $1500
PRIOR PFD LATE FEES:None
OUTSTANDING CF LATE FEES: None
OUTSTANDING DISCLOSURE REPORTS: None
PRIOR EXPERIENCE: has filed 3 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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2018 - consider untimely waiver request and decline to waive.
2019 - suspend all based future compliance with the Code of Ethics.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Tracy Barker |
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