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Waiver request submitted by Joseph "Joe" Bikulege, Jr., candidate for Mayor / City of New Orleans in the October 11, 2025 election, regarding a $2,500 late fee assessed for filing his 2024 Tier 2 annual pfd 59 days late.
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Joseph "Joe" Bikulege, Jr., is a first-time candidate for Mayor of New Orleans. He misunderstood the distinction between CF and PFD filing requirements. After obtaining the LFO, he received clarification from a BOE representative. Initially, he spoke with a BOE representative and believed the CF report was sufficient. He was told, aside from the qualifying process, he was current. Mr. Bikulege would like to express his gratitude to the staff for their assistance. He remains dedicated to ensuring full compliance and would like to request a waiver of the late fee assessed.
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TYPE OF REPORT: 2024 Tier 2 Candidate Report
ORIGINAL DUE DATE: July 16, 2025
DATE NOD RECEIVED: 7/26/2025 (no green card)
DATE REPORT FILED: 10/3/2025
DAYS LATE FROM NOD: 59days
DAYS LATE FROM ORIGINAL DUE DATE: 79days
ASSESSED LATE FEE: $2,500
PRIOR/OUTSTANDING PFD LATE FEES: None
PRIOR/OUTSTANDING CF LATE FEES: None
OUTSTANDING DISCLOSURE REPORTS: None
PRIOR EXPERIENCE: has filed 2 reports or amendments
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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 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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Suspend all but $750 based on future compliance with the Code of Ethics. The $750 is payable within 20 days and if payment is not received within 20 days, the full amount of the late fee becomes due and owing.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Tracy Barker |
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