| Untimely waiver request submitted by Christopher S. "Washington" Thomas, candidate for Alderman City of Mansfield (Pop. 4,714), Desoto Parish, in the March 26, 2022 election, regarding a $500 late fee assessed for filing his 2021 Tier 3 candidate pfd 40 days late and a timely waiver request regarding a $75 late assessed for filing his amended 2021 Tier 3 candidate pfd 3 days late. |
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Mr. Thomas stated he understands that it was his responsibility to ensure his PFD was submitted; however, his failure to timely file was unintentional. He placed his disclosures with the school's outgoing mail, but the post office lost his item. He is sorry and stated he understands the importance of the Board of Ethics having the candidates' financial information on file. Mr. Thomas stated it has been a very challenging school year. Currently, he is completing a degree program at Northwestern State and he manages after-school events and programs. He has been using the outgoing school mail since he doesn't leave work until after 5:00 PM. Mr. Thomas has two older children who are in college. His son attends McNeese State, and his daughter attends Northwestern State. He cannot afford to pay the fines at this time, as he is taking care of their financial needs. He ran for office because he believes in serving the people and making his community a better place. He thanks the Ethics Board for their consideration on this matter.
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TYPE OF REPORT: 2021 Tier 3 Candidate Report
ORIGINAL FILING DATE: (2021 - 02/02/2022)
ORIGINAL PFD FILED ON: (2021 Amended - 04/11/2022)
DATE NOD RECEIVED: (2021 - 02/18/2022) (2021 Amended - 05/06/2022) (personally signed green card)
DATE REPORT FILED: (2021 - 04/11/2022) (2021 Amended - 05/20/2022)
DAYS LATE FROM NOD: (2021 - 40 days) (2021 Amended - 3 days)
DAYS LATE FROM ORIGINAL DUE DATE: (2021 - 68 days)
ASSESSED LATE FEE: (2021 - $500) (2021 Amended - $75)
PRIOR/OUTSTANDING PFD LATE FEES: Yes: 2017 Tier 3 Candidate-Amend PFD, Suspended $1500, it has been reassessed
PRIOR/OUTSTANDING CF LATE FEES: None
OUTSTANDING DISCLOSURE REPORTS: None
PRIOR EXPERIENCE: Been filing since 2018
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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. 42:1124.3
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 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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2021 Tier 3 Candidate - decline to consider untimely
2021 Tier 3 Candidate Amendment - decline to waive
2017 Tier 3 Candidate - rescind the reassessment
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Tracy Barker |
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