Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 22-370
 
Print
RE:
Waiver request submitted by Trent Temples, candidate for City Prosecutor of Bogalusa (Pop. 12,232) / Washington Parish, in the November 13, 2021 election, regarding a $2500 late fee assessed for failing to file his 2020 Tier 2 candidate pfd.
Facts:
Mr. Temples stated he received a 2020 IRS Federal Tax Extension due to Hurricane Ida and he did not feel comfortable "guessing" at his tax information as he is not a CPA. Mr. Temples also stated that during his campaign he had several family hardships. His mother was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in December 2020 and has undergone many treatments, scans, and surgeries at the Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. His father has been bedridden for a few years and was hospitalized several times after a massive infection and a fall in September 2021, that shattered his leg. Mr. Temples believe this is good cause for not filing the candidate disclosure and asks the Ethics Board to grant his waiver.

Staff Notes: Mr. Temples was a successful candidate in the November 13, 2021, Election. He was advised twice by the Disclosure Director to complete the forms to the best of his abilities, then later amend the disclosure once he completed his 2020 taxes. The IRS's final deadline to file all 2020 Federal Taxes, including hurricane-impacted areas was February 15, 2022. Mr. Temples has yet to file his 2020 Candidate PFD Statement for that election.


Comments:
TYPE OF REPORT: 2020 Tier 2 Candidate Report
ORIGINAL FILING DATE: 7/21/20221
DATE NOD RECEIVED: 7/29/2021 (personally signed green card)
DATE REPORT FILED: N/A PFD Not Filed
DAYS LATE FROM NOD: N/A PFD Not Filed
DAYS LATE FROM ORIGINAL DUE DATE: N/A PFD Not Filed
ASSESSED LATE FEE: $2500
PRIOR/OUTSTANDING PFD LATE FEES: None
PRIOR/OUTSTANDING CF LATE FEES: None
OUTSTANDING DISCLOSURE REPORTS: None
PRIOR EXPERIENCE: has filed 0 reports or amendments

Law:
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.

Recommendations:
Decline to waive.
Assigned Attorney: Tracy Barker
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2022-370 - PFD Waiver Request Trent Temple-agenda