Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 21-551
 
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RE:
Request that the Board reconsider its decision to suspend all but $1050 of a $1500 late fee, based on future compliance, submitted by James Russell Fatic, St. Tammany Community Action Agency, for filing his 2018 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 489 days late.
Facts:
Reconsideration: Mr. Fatic is requesting reconsideration as he believes the late fee is against the ethical spirit of the law and is being applied as punishment in this instance. He then reiterates his original reasons for the waiver.


Original Request:


Mr. Fatic states his waiver is late because he is a husband, a father of 4 (ages 4-21), and the primary support of his elderly parents in Central Florida. His mother suffers from Pulmonary Fibrosis, Alzheimer's Disease and had emergency heart surgery on 2/16/2020. His 87-year-old father is her primary caregiver, and is struggling to take care of her. He has made 4 trips to Florida since February to assist his parents. He is a full time executive director of the Northshore Disaster Recovery, and since the Covid-19 Pandemic it's been especially hard for this small, local nonprofit to function, with an increased workload. He's a student at the Asbury Theological Seminary working on his Master Degree and school assignments require travel, so from 2/28/2021 to 3/6/2021 he was out of town. He is a candidate to be a clergy with the LA Conference of United Methodist Church, and he is the president of the Rotary Club in Slidell.

Mr. Fatic he claims he mailed his disclosure in timely. However, he does not have any proof, as he did not mail the PFD with delivery tracking. He leads a long term recovery organization and is busy with recovery efforts due to regional disasters after hurricanes and tornadoes in Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama. He has had a reduction in staff and his bookkeeper unexpectantly passed away on 9/28/2019. He was the only employee left in the office and had to manage a team of volunteers and a mission's team all working off site, while trying to replace a bookkeeper. He was struggling to manage. When the NOD was received, he was selected as the Civic Leader of the 2019 by the Greater New Orleans Alliance of Good Government. Mr. Fatic stated he did not knowingly avoid filing the PFD, he was merely distracted with all these other duties. He asks the Ethics Board to please waive the fine, as he simply cannot afford it, as he is paying his own seminary tuition, paying college tuition for 2 of his kids, and paying Pre-K tuition, all on a non-profit salary.

Comments:
TYPE OF REPORT: Tier 2.1 Annual Report
ORIGINAL FILING DATE: May 15, 2019

DATE NOD RECEIVED: 11/29/2019

DATE REPORT FILED: 4/12/2021
DAYS LATE FROM NOD:
489 days
DAYS LATE FROM ORIGINAL DUE DATE: 698
ASSESSED LATE FEE: $1500
OUTSTANDING PFD LATE FEES:
None

OUTSTANDING CF LATE FEES: None

OUTSTANDING DISCLOSURE REPORTS: None

PRIOR EXPERIENCE: has filed 4 reports or amendments

Law:
La. R.S. 42:1124.2.1 requires financial disclosure for each member and designee of a board or commission which has the authority to expend, disburse or invest $10,000 or more of funds in a fiscal year 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:
Affirm Board's prior decision to suspend all but $1050 based on future compliance with the Code of Ethics. The $1050 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.

Assigned Attorney: Tracy Barker
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2021-551 - PFD Waiver Request James Russell Fatic
2021-551- Request for reconsideration - James Fatic