| Request that the Board waive the $1,100.00 campaign finance late fee assessed against, Melanie Newkome Jones, an unsuccessful candidate for Judge, Court of Appeal, 1st Circuit, 2nd District., Subdistrict. 1, Div. A, East Baton Rouge Parish in the November 3, 2020 election, whose 2023 Supplemental campaign finance disclosure report was filed 11 days late. |
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Melanie Newkome Jones is submitting a request and states the following: She intends to file a final report since she could not run for office again. The campaign account was left open with hopes that she would run again. Ms. Jones left her private practice in October 2024 to work as an assistant prosecutor for East Baton Rouge Parish and is now at the Parish Attorney's office. Upon leaving private practice, she let her assistant go since she could not afford to pay her and no longer had a need. She assisted with administrative duties and maintained the calendar. Ms. Jones is juggling closing her practice, selling the building, and learning new job procedures while working weekends. Unfortunately, the filing reminder was not on her calendar. She would like to apologize for this mishap.
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ELECTION: November 3, 2020
TYPES OF REPORT: 2023 SUPPL
DAYS LATE: 11
ASSESSED FEE: $1,100.00
REPORTS DUE: February 15, 2024
REPORTS FILED: February 26, 2024
ACTIVITY REPORT: $-0 Receipts; $-0 Expenditures; $257.49 Funds on Hand at the Close of Reporting Period.
OTHER LATE FILINGS: TWO- PAID
11/3/2020 Election: 90-P (8 days late) - $800.00
9/30/2006 Election: SUPP (2 days late) - $100.00
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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.
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.
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Reduce to $1,000 based on Rule 1205C; decline to waive.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Charles Reeves |
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