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Waiver request submitted by Wanda S. Bennett, a former member of the Bossier Parish Police Jury, District 3, regarding a $2500 late fee assessed for filing her 2019 Tier 2 annual pfd 618 days late and a $2500 late fee assessed for filing her 2020 Tier 2 annual pfd 163 days late. |
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Sherrie Bennett Yorba and Mrs. Tracy Bennett-Beckett submitted a waiver request on behalf of their mother, Wanda Bennett. Mrs. Yorba and Mrs. Beckett stated they began noticing their mother started to forget things and occasionally become confused about things. They both encouraged her not to run for office again and supported her decision to retire from public service in January 2020. Mrs. Bennett was in her 80s when she finished her term on the Bossier Parish Police Jury. Since then, Ms. Bennett has continued to suffer from increased memory loss and her daughters have learned of other situations when items were neglected. None of these were completed/done with malicious intent. These things were simply "oversights of an independent, elderly woman trying to navigate growing older" while refraining from asking for help. Ms. Bennett has no recollection of receiving the notices and could not give a reason why she did not file the reports. Ms. Bennett has stopped driving herself in recent months and is now taking prescribed medication to slow the effects of dementia. Mrs. Bennett's two daughters ask that the Ethics Board grant this request due to their mother's memory loss and her age at the time of the violation. Mrs. Yorba and Mrs. Beckett stated their mother has been a dedicated public servant in Bossier Parish since 1977. Her legacy in Bossier Parish remains one of integrity and a commitment to excellence.
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TYPE OF REPORT: 2019 and 2020 Tier 2 Annual Report
ORIGINAL FILING DATE: July 6, 2020 and May 17, 2021
DATE NOD RECEIVED: 2019 - 01/08/2021 (Covid) / 2020 - 04/08/2022 (personally signed green card)
DATE REPORT FILED: 2019 and 2020 - 09/30/2022
DAYS LATE FROM NOD: 2019 - 618 days / 2020 - 163 days
DAYS LATE FROM ORIGINAL DUE DATE: 2019 - 816 days / 2020- 501 days
ASSESSED LATE FEE: 2019 and 2020 $2500 each
PRIOR/OUTSTANDING PFD LATE FEES: Yes. 2008, $1000 reduced fine - Paid
PRIOR/OUTSTANDING CF LATE FEES: Yes. 2011 $640 & $40 - Paid
OUTSTANDING DISCLOSURE REPORTS: None
PRIOR EXPERIENCE: Been filing since 2009
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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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Suspend all based on future compliance with the Code of Ethics.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Tracy Barker |
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