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Untimely waiver request submitted by Steven Jackson, State Representative / 2nd Representative District, regarding a $2500 late fee assessed for failing to file his 2022 Tier 2 candidate pfd; and,
Untimely waiver request submitted by Steven Jackson, former member of the Caddo Parish
Commission - District 3 / LA Housing Corporation, regarding a $2500 late
fee assessed for filing his amended 2022 Tier 2 annual pfd 183 days late. |
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Mr. Jackson requests a waiver of the late fees assessed against him for failing to amend his 2022 Annual PFD timely and for failing to file his 2022 Candidate PFD. Mr. Jackson stated that in most instances, the reports were submitted, though some contained errors. In the limited cases where a report was not filed, it was due to duplication of information rather than any intent to violate the law. Since then, he has hired (contracted) an accountant to file his reports accurately and timely. He stated the Legislature has removed duplicative reporting requirements, recognizing the burden it placed on filers. He further states that the LA Supreme Court has stated, "the law favors candidacy and any doubt as to the qualifications of a candidate should be resolved in favor of permitting the candidate to run." That principle reflects a broader commitment to simplify the process to encourage civic participation, not discourage it, including our ethics laws. He asks the Ethics Board to consider waiving, reducing, or suspending the fines. He remains committed to timely and accurately filing reports in the future, while supporting efforts to simplify the process for all filers. He thanks the BOE for working with him to resolve these matters and for their consideration.
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TYPE OF REPORT: 2022 Tier 2 Candidate Report & 2022 Tier 2 Annual Report-Amendment
ORIGINAL DUE DATE: 8/15/2023 (2022 Tier 2 Candidate Annual)
ORIGINAL FILING DATE: 5/15/2023 (2022 Tier 2 Annual)
DATE NOD RECEIVED: 8/28/2023 (2022 Tier 2 Candidate Annual) & 2/8/2024 (2022 Tier 2 Annual)
DATE REPORT FILED: Never filed (2022 Tier 2 Candidate) & 8/21/2024 (2022 Tier 2 Annual)
DAYS LATE FROM NOD: N/A days (2022 Tier 2 Candidate) & 183 days (2022 Tier 2 Annual)
DAYS LATE FROM ORIGINAL DUE DATE: N/A days (2022 Tier 2 Candidate) ASSESSED LATE FEE: $2500 (2022 Tier 2 Candidate) & $2500 (2022 Tier 2 Annual)
PRIOR/OUTSTANDING PFD LATE FEES: 2022 Annual PFD Amend- $2500 & 2022 Candidate PFD- FTF- $2500
PRIOR/OUTSTANDING CF LATE FEES: 5 Pending Waivers. 15 Paid, Rescinded, or Suspended
OUTSTANDING DISCLOSURE REPORTS: 2022 Tier 2 Candidate PFD
PRIOR EXPERIENCE: Been filing since 2015
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La. R.S. 18:1495.7A
requires any person who becomes a candidate for an office for which the holder of the office is required to file financial disclosure statements pursuant to R.S. 42:1124, 1124.2, or 1124.3 shall file a financial disclosure statement as required by R.S. 42:1124, 1124.2, or 1124.3 for the office for which he is a candidate. The statement required by this Section shall be filed within three (3) business days after the close of the qualifying period during which the candidate files his notice of candidacy for the office.
La. R.S. 42:1124.2 requires each person holding a public office who represents a voting district having a population of 5,000 or more persons to file an annual personal financial disclosure statement 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 of the Code 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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Decline to consider the untimely waiver requests.
In the alternative, if Board votes to consider the untimely waiver requests, decline to waive.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Tracy Barker |
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