| Untimely waiver request submitted by Nicholas Edward "Nic" Hunter, candidate for Mayor / City of Lake Charles (Pop. 71,993) / Calcasieu Parish in the March 20, 2021 election, regarding a $2500 late fee assessed for filing his 2020 Tier 2 candidate pfd 64 days late. |
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Donna Williams, CPA for Nicholas Hunter, submitted this waiver request stating that community was devastated by Hurricanes Laura and Delta in 2020. As a result, mail delivery was intermitten. Mr. Hunter hired a bookeeper to help him with these matters, however, she was devastated by the storms as well. Mr. Hunter was focused on rebuilding his city.
Staff Notes: It took the staff four attempts to get notice to Mr. Hunter.
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TYPE OF REPORT: 2020 Tier 2 Candidate Report
ORIGINAL FILING DATE: 1/27/2021
DATE NOD RECEIVED: 9/17/2021 (covid)
DATE REPORT FILED: 12/1/2021
DAYS LATE FROM NOD: 64 days
DAYS LATE FROM ORIGINAL DUE DATE: 308 days
ASSESSED LATE FEE: $2500
PRIOR OR OUTSTANDING PFD LATE FEES: Yes: $2500, 2020 Tier 2 Annual PFD, 34 days late, paid
PRIOR OR OUTSTANDING CF LATE FEES: Yes: $360, 2017 Supplemental Report for 3/25/17 election, 6 days late, paid
OUTSTANDING DISCLOSURE REPORTS: None
PRIOR EXPERIENCE: has filed ____ reports or amendments
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La. R.S. 18:1495.7A
requires any person who becomes a candidate for an office for which the holder of the office is required to file financial disclosure statements pursuant to R.S. 42:1124, 1124.2, or 1124.3 shall file a financial disclosure statement as required by R.S. 42:1124, 1124.2, or 1124.3 for the office for which he is a candidate. The statement required by this Section shall be filed within three (3) business days after the close of the qualifying period during which the candidate files his notice of candidacy for the office.
La. R.S. 42:1124.2 requires each person holding a public office who represents a voting district having a population of 5,000 or more persons to file an annual personal financial disclosure statement 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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Consider the untimely waiver request.
Suspend all but $250 based on future compliance with the Code of Ethics. The $250 is payable within 20 days and if payment is not received within 20 days, the full amount of the late fee becomes due and owing.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Tracy Barker |
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