Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 21-565
 
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RE:
Request that the Board reconsider its decision to decline to waive a $300 late fee assessed against Bridgett Bennett, Pearl River Board of Aldermen (Pop. 2,506) /St. Tammany Parish, for filing her 2019 Tier 3 annual pfd 6 days late.
Facts:
Ms. Bennett reasserts her prior reasons for a waiver. Ms. Bennett stated 2020 was an extremely busy year for her and her family and at her job. When she received the NOD, she completed the disclosure and mailed it, as she no longer had a fax machine and could not find a way to submit the PFD via email or online. She contacted the BOE and spoke with the PFD Director, who informed her of the upload feature. Ms. Bennett then learned that her disclosure was postmarked as 3/9/2021, instead of being stamped with 3/8/2021, the date she brought her disclosure to the post office to be mailed off. She assumes the post office did not process her item until the next business day. Ms. Bennett hopes the Ethics Board will consider waiving this fine.
Comments:
TYPE OF REPORT: 2019 Tier 3 Annual Report
ORIGINAL FILING DATE: 7/6/2020

DATE NOD RECEIVED: 2/22/2021 (Covid-19)


DATE REPORT FILED: 3/9/2021
DAYS LATE FROM NOD:
6 days
DAYS LATE FROM ORIGINAL DUE DATE:
246 days
ASSESSED LATE FEE: $300
PRIOR PFD LATE FEES:
Yes, 2014 Tier 3 - $50 paid

OUTSTANDING CF LATE FEES: None

OUTSTANDING DISCLOSURE REPORTS: None

PRIOR EXPERIENCE: Yes


Law:
La. R.S. 42:1124.3 requires persons holding a public office who represent a voting district having a population of less than 5,000 and each member of the governing authority or management board of a charter school created pursuant to Chapter 42 of Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 to file a 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:
Suspend all based on future compliance with the Code of Ethics.
Assigned Attorney: Tracy Barker
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2021-565 - PFD Waiver Request Bridgett Bennett
2021-565- Request for Reconsideration Received - Bridgett Bennett