INDReporter

Angelle seeks reduced ethics fine

by Walter Pierce

The Louisiana Ethics Board is expected to reduce the $360 fine assessed against Lafayette Parish School Board member Tommy Angelle for filing a campaign finance disclosure form late in connection with his successful bid to become the District 2 LPSB rep.

The Louisiana Ethics Board is expected to reduce the $360 fine assessed against Lafayette Parish School Board member Tommy Angelle for filing a campaign finance disclosure form late in connection with his successful bid to become the District 2 LPSB rep. Angelle, who beat Cajundome Director Greg Davis for the seat, filed the form on Oct. 12, nine days beyond the deadline.

The board is meeting Thursday to consider dozens of issues related to campaign finance disclosure and other matters. A board attorney has already recommended that Angelle's fine be reduced to $100 following a letter sent to the board by Angelle's accountant, Chris Rainey, who urged the board to consider extenuating circumstances:

Originally Mr. Angelle campaign activity was under the amount for both expenditures and contributions that would require the need to file any disclosure reports. It was not until he received $500 From the Louisiana Association of Educators Fund PAC on September 30 that the need to file was mandatory. This led to some confusion as to what reports actually needed to filed.

Furthermore the race was won by only a four vote margin. Mr Angelle had already prepared to make his concession speech to his supporters when he received a call advising him that with the absentee voting he had actually won the election. This of course led to recounts and authentication of death notices with respect to the absentee votes as well as much controversy coming from his opponent.

All of this was taking place while his mother's health was taking a rapid decline. Tommy's mother, Jeanette C Angelle, passed away on the morning of Sunday October 10 2010 and was laid to rest October 12, 2010.

It was the sincerest of oversights that EDEP Report wasn't filed timely. There were no expenditures to be reported for that disclosure report In light of the series of events that occurred during the last few days of Mr. Angelle campaign to serve his constituents as a school board member we are hopeful that the Ethics Board will see way to waive the late fees assessed.