Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 23-764
 
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RE:
Request by Erick Falting, a successful candidate for Member of School Board, District 12, Bossier Parish in the November 8, 2022 election, that the Board reconsider its decision to 1) decline to waive the $1,000 campaign finance late fee for a 30-P filed 175 days late; 2) reduce to $915.61 and decline to waive the $1,000 late fee for a 10-P filed 155 days late; 3) reduce to $400 and decline to waive the two (2) $1,000 late fees for a 10-G report filed 125 days late and a SUPP2022 report filed 57 days late
Facts:
Original request stated : This was his first-time participating in politics. Other school board members ran unopposed, which meant he was unable to receive guidance or answers to several important questions regarding campaign regulations. He took every reasonable step to seek information from various sources, but the lack of clarity and guidance left him unable to make fully informed decisions. Mr. Falting is a single father with 2 full-time jobs and responsibilities on the school board. This has been overwhelming. Despite his commitment, he failed to timely file reports. He regrets this unintentional violation and will take necessary steps to prevent such oversights in the future.


Reconsideration Request:


The reconsideration request contains no new information relating to the reason for the late filings. It does state that the penalties would be a financial burden.


Comments:
ELECTION: November 8, 2022
TYPES OF REPORT: 30-P, 10-P, 10-G & 2022 SUPPL;
DAYS LATE: 175, 155, 125 & 57
ASSESSED FEE: $1,000.00, $1,000.00, $1,000.00 & $1,000.00
REPORTS DUE: October 11, 2022; October 31, 2022, November 30, 2022 and February 15, 2023
REPORTS FILED: March 4, 2023; March 4, 2023; March 4, 2023 and March 13, 2023 December 17, 2022
ACTIVITY REPORT: 30-P $2,875.00 Receipts; $565.25 in Expenditures and $2,309.75 Funds at Close of Reporting Period
10-P: $15.00 in Receipts; $915.61 in Expenditures and $1,409.14 Funds on Hand at Close of Reporting Period


10-G: $-0 in Receipts; $200.00 in Expenditures and $1,209.14 Funds on Hand at Close of Reporting Period

2022 Suppl: $-0 in Receipts; $-0 in Expenditures and 1,209.14 Funds on Hand at the Close of Reporting Period.


OTHER LATE FILINGS: NONE




Law:
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.

LAC 52:1205(C) states if a report is filed more than 10 days late and the amount of activity on the report is less than the amount of the late fee to be assessed, the staff may reduce the late fee to the amount of activity or 10 times the per-day penalty, whichever is greater.


Recommendations:
Reaffirm the following:

With respect to 30-P, decline to waive.

With respect to 10-P, reduce to $915.61 based on Rule 1205C; decline to waive.

With respect to 10-G and SUPP2022, reduce to $400 based on Rule 1205C; decline to waive.


Assigned Attorney: Charles Reeves
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2023-764 - CF Waiver 30-P
2023-764 - CF Waiver 10-P
2023-764 - CF Waiver 10-G
2023-764 - CF Waiver 2022 SUPP
2023-764- 30-P BR Letter - Declined
2023-764- 10-P BR Letter - Reduced
2023-764- 10-G BR Letter - Reduced
2023-764- 2022 SUPP BR Letter - Reduced
2023-764- Request for Reconsideration