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Waiver request submitted by Earnest Lee Freeman, Avoyelles Parish Tourist Commission, regarding a $1500 late fee assessed for filing his 2019 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 258 days late and regarding a $1500 late fee assessed for filing his 2020 Tier 2.1 annual pfd 46 days late. |
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Mr. Freeman stated he regrettably finds himself in this situation with fines that would put him and his family under financial hardship. He has served on the Avoyelles Tourism Commission for more than 25 years and has always tried to timely respond to any requests, so he does not know how to explain his recent late filings. He stated for the last few years, he and his wife had been away from home for months at a time. Their bills are being paid through their banks' automatic BillPay system, while other mail is being handled by friends and neighbors. For the last few years and currently his wife has been receiving cancer treatment at Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans and Cabrini Cancer Center in Alexandria. On January 7, 2022, Mrs.Freeman fractured her heel in three places requiring surgery and a hard cast. She was unable to walk for 3 months. Mr. Freeman stated dealing with health issues, Covid 19, aging, and other concerns, life has not been normal and a bit of a "rough patch". He apologized for the late filing and would appreciate it if the Ethics Board would consider his request in waiving the fines.
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TYPE OF REPORT: 2019 and 2020 Tier 2.1 Annual Report
ORIGINAL FILING DATE: (2019 - 7/6/2020) (2020 - 5/17/2021)
DATE NOD RECEIVED: (2019 - 6/19/2021, personally signed) (2020 - 1/18/2022, Covid)
DATE REPORT FILED:(2019 - 3/14/2022) (2020 - 3/14/2022)
DAYS LATE FROM NOD: (2019 - 258 days) (2020 - 46 days)
DAYS LATE FROM ORIGINAL DUE DATE: (2019 - 616 days) (2020 - 301 days)
ASSESSED LATE FEE: (2019 - $1500) (2020 - $1500)
PRIOR/OUTSTANDING PFD LATE FEES: None
PRIOR/OUTSTANDING CF LATE FEES: None
OUTSTANDING DISCLOSURE REPORTS: None
PRIOR EXPERIENCE: Been filing since 2009
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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 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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2019 - Suspend all based on future compliance with the Code of Ethics.
2020 - Suspend all based on future compliance with the Code of Ethics.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Tracy Barker |
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