| Request that the Board reconsider its decision to decline to waive a $1,000 campaign finance late fee assessed against Billy Joe Williams, an unsuccessful candidate for Chief of Police, City of Winnsboro (Population 4,824), Franklin Parish, in the March 26, 2022 election, whose 40-G campaign finance disclosure report was filed 33 days late. |
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Original request stated:
Mathew Stephens, campaign treasurer for Billy Joe Williams, requests a waiver and states the following: On June 9th, Mr. Williams received an email from the Board of Ethics stating that they had not received the past due 40-G candidate report. Mr. Stephens called the Board of Ethics and the representative stated that since Mr. Williams lost the election and did not plan to run again, he should donate the money. Mr. Williams told him to donate the money to Winnsboro Little League in a cashiers check. Due to Mr. Willams' hectic schedule, he was unable to pass by the bank and sign until the 14th of June. Mr. Stephens mailed the report to the PO Box address, but he failed to certify the letter. Mr. Williams does not have the $1,000.00 to pay the fine and the amount would account for a third of all that he spent on this election. Mr. Stephens is requesting to have the penalty waived.
Reconsideration states:
Matthew Stephens, campaign treasurer for Mr. Williams, states the following: In reviewing the March 2023 minutes, it appears multiple waiver requests were considered without proper adjudication, and no reason for Mr. Williams's denial was provided. Mr. Stephens mailed the report without Mr. Williams' signature, and Mr. Williams did not intentionally try to violate any ethics law. It is morally important to reconsider this, and Mr. Williams does not have the money to pay the fine.
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ELECTION: March 26 2022
TYPES OF REPORT: 40-G
DAYS LATE: 33
ASSESSED FEE: $1,000
REPORTS DUE: June 9, 2022
REPORTS FILED: July 12, 2022
ACTIVITY REPORT: $-0 in Receipt; $431.70 in Expenditures and $-0 Funds on Hand at Close of Reporting Period
OTHER LATE FILINGS: NONE
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18:1505.4.A(1) Any candidate, the treasurer or chairman of a political committee, or any other person required to file any reports under this Chapter, who knowingly fails to file or who knowingly fails to timely file any such reports as are required by this Chapter may be assessed a civil penalty for each day until such report is filed.
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Reaffirm decision to decline to waive.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Charles Reeves |
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