Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 21-112
 
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RE:
Request that the Board waive the $760 campaign finance late fee assessed against Melvin Toomer, a candidate for Council Member, District D, City of Ponchatoula, Tangipahoa Parish in the October 12, 2019 election, whose 10-P campaign finance disclosure report was filed 19 days late.
Facts:
Melvin Toomer requests a waiver and states the following:

He was running in a district with less than 2,000 residents. He was under the impression that he didn't have to file under R.S.18:1501.1. He didn't have expenditures in excess of $500. According to persons required to file disclosure reports (18:1484 and 1486), he was under to the impression that he falls under Part "D" since he didn't have expenses of $500 or above.

Comments:
ELECTION: November 6, 2018
TYPES OF REPORT: 10-P
DAYS LATE: 19
ASSESSED FEE: $760
REPORTS DUE: October 2, 2019
REPORTS FILED: October 21, 2019


ACTIVITY REPORTED: 10-P: $500.00 in Receipts; $336.34 in Disbursements and $163.66 Funds on Hand at Close of Reporting Period

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 for each day until such report is filed.

18:1484.(2)(b). Each candidate for any other public office shall file reports of contributions in excess of two hundred dollars in the aggregate during the aggregating period.

Section 1205C of the Rules for the Board of Ethics provides that "[i]f a report is filed more than 10 days late and the amount of activity on the report is less than the amount of the late fee to be assessed, the staff may reduce the late fee to the amount of activity or 10 times the per-day penalty, whichever is greater."


Recommendations:
Reduce to $500 based on Rule 1205C; decline to waive.


Assigned Attorney: Charles Reeves
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2021-112 - CF Waiver Request Melvin Toomer