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Request to waive the $1,500 late fee assessed against Damien Watt for filing his 2025 lobbying registration payment (17) days late. |
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Mr. Watts is requesting a waiver or a reduction regarding the late fee assessed. On December 15, 2025, he accessed the Ethics portal with the intent to register and pay for calendar year 2026. Through inadvertent selection within the portal, he mistakenly registered for calendar year 2025 instead of 2026. He states, he intended to contact the Board immediately before the Christmas holidays and was distracted by an unrelated issue that prevented him from making the call before the holiday closure period. Once he returned to the matter, he paid the fee to open the calendar year 2026 on January 6, 2026. Mr. Watts states his actions reflect a consistent intent to comply with the proper reporting year and no intent to evade, delay or disregard any statutory obligation. The assessment arises from an honest administrative mistake in selecting the year.
Staff Notes: If a registration is completed and paid for, it will be processed. On 12/15/25, Mr. Watts entered 12/15/2025 as his representation start date for Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil & Gas, requiring his registration payment to be paid by 12/20/25. On 1/6/26, he paid for his 2025 lobbying registration (17) days late.
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REPORT: 2025 Lobbying Registration Payment
REPORT DUE: December 20, 2025
REPORT FILED: January 6, 2026
DAYS LATE: 17 DAYS LATE
FEE ASSESSED: $300
ACTIVITY REPORTED: $0.00
OTHER LATE FILINGS: NONE
REGISTERED BRANCHES: Executive/Legislative/Local
LOBBYING SINCE: 2023, 2025, 2026
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R.S. 49:74A and 24:53A provide that "[e]ach lobbyist shall register with the ethics board as soon as possible after employment as a lobbyist or after the first action requiring his registration as a lobbyist, whichever occurs first, and in any event not later than five days after employment as a lobbyist or not later than five days after the first action requiring his registration as a lobbyist, whichever occurs first."
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| Assigned Attorney: |
David Bordelon |
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