Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 24-349
 
Print
RE:
Request that the Board waive the $60, $840, $2,000 campaign finance late fees ($2,900 total) assessed against Robert "Max" Grodner, Jr., an unsuccessful candidate for State Representative, 68th Representative District in the October 14, 2023 election, whose 30-P, 10-P & 10-G campaign finance disclosure reports were filed 1, 14 and 99 days late, respectively.
Facts:
Robert Grodner requests a waiver and states the following: He is a first-time candidate and it was his first time using LEADERS as a finance portal. He had difficulty understanding the program and sometimes encountered problems understanding the contributions and expenditures sections. Although he filled out the report, he failed to submit it. He was not made aware until several weeks later. After receiving the LFO, he spoke with a BOE representative and received help to amend the 30-P and 10-P reports. Mr. Grodner states he can't afford to pay the late fee.
Comments:
ELECTION: October 14, 2023
TYPES OF REPORT: 30-P, 10-P and 10-G
DAYS LATE: 1, 14 & 99
ASSESSED FEE: $60.00; $84.00 & $2,000.00
REPORTS DUE: September 14, 2023; October 4, 2023 & November 8, 2023
REPORTS FILED: September 15, 2023; October 18, 2023 & February 15, 2024

ACTIVITY REPORT: 30-P: $2,746.17 in Receipts; $740.69in Expenditures; $5.48 Funds on Hand at the Close of Reporting Period.



10-P: $3,350.00 in Receipts; $3,015.00 in Expenditures & $339.48 Funds at Close of Reporting Period

10-G: $-0 in Receipts; $-0 in Expenditures & $339.48 Funds at 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:
With respect to 30-P, suspend all based on future compliance.
With respect to 10-P and 10-G, decline to waive.
Assigned Attorney: Charles Reeves
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2024-349 - CF Waiver request 30-P
2024-349 - CF Waiver request 10-P
2024-349 - CF Waiver request 10-G