LOBBYIST FILING AGREEMENT

 

 

This Agreement, made this 31st day of May, 2006, by and between Paul Fiore, lobbyist for Washington Maryland Delaware Service Station and Automotive Repair Association (“WMDA”) and Jill B. Martin, Esquire, who has been designated Staff Counsel for this matter by the Maryland State Ethics Commission (hereinafter the Staff Counsel).

 

                                                                    RECITALS

 

The State Ethics Commission (“the Commission”) is the executive agency of the State of Maryland established by Chapter 513, Acts of 1979 for the purpose of enforcing the Maryland Public Ethics Law (State Government Article, Title 15, Annotated Code of Maryland, hereinafter the Ethics Law) including the provisions of Subtitle 7, the lobbying disclosure program.

 

 Paul Fiore (“the filer”) is an individual whose lobbying activities on behalf of WMDA, during the period of November 30, 2005 through October 31, 2006 required him to register as a lobbyist with the State Ethics Commission;

 

The filer was registered on behalf of the employer, WMDA (“the employer”) for the period November 30, 2005 through October 31, 2006 as required by the State Gov.Md.Code Ann., §15-703(d)(1)(Supp.2005).

 

On February 2, 2006, the employer sponsored a special event for all members of the Maryland General Assembly at the Loew’s Annapolis Hotel in Annapolis, Maryland.

 

The filer did not file Form 13F (“Fourteen Day Report”) for the special event within 14 days of the event, as required by the State Government Article, Section 15-708(d)(1) of the Ethics Law.

 

The filer subsequently filed the Fourteen Day Report on March 27, 2006.  The filer reported $8,029.56 in total cost for the event.

 

The filer is voluntarily entering into this agreement to admit his failure to timely file the Fourteen Day Report with the Commission and to pay a sum of money in lieu of potential late filing fees pursuant to Section 15-405(d)(1) of the Ethics Law.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the submission of the required Fourteen Day Report by the filer on March 27, 2006 and the admissions and agreements herein contained, the filer and the Staff Counsel stipulate and agree as follows:

 

1.  The filer admits he did not timely file his Fourteen Day Report on behalf of the special event hosted by WMDA as required by §15-708(d)(1) of the Ethics Law.

 

2.  The filer reported his delinquency to the Commission on March 27, 2006 by filing his Fourteen Day Report (a copy of which have been attached hereto and made a part thereof).

 

3.  The filer understands that failure to comply with the lobbying disclosure provisions of the Ethics Law may subject him to a formal complaint by the Commission and, upon finding of a violation, late fees and the possibility of civil fines.

 

4.  Based on the facts stated in this agreement the filer agrees to pay as settlement of the late filing matter, the amount of Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($250.00) at the time of the execution of this agreement in lieu of potential late fees for the above admitted late report (paragraph 1).

 

5.  The Staff Counsel will, upon execution of this Agreement by the filer recommend that the Commission not institute any proceedings on his failure to timely file. The filer understands that the Commission is under no obligation to accept this agreement and may decide to take other action, including issuing a complaint.

 

6.  The filer waives a formal hearing on this matter (if the agreement is accepted by the Commission) to which he would be entitled if a complaint were issued, and he understands that this Agreement and materials relating to this matter are not subject to the confidentiality provisions of  the Ethics law, and will be public information unless otherwise protected.

 

7.  The filer understands a copy of this agreement will be mailed to his employer.

 

8.  The filer and Staff Counsel have entered into this Agreement for the sole purpose of receiving the late submission of the Fourteen Day Report and for the payment of late fees and for no other purpose.

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Paul Fiore and Jill B. Martin, Staff Counsel, State Ethics Commission, have hereunto set their hands.

 

 

 

 

                                       /s/                                                      ________/s/_____________________       

Jill B. Martin, Designated Staff Counsel             Paul Fiore

State Ethics Commission                                               Lobbyist

            45 Calvert Street, 3rd Floor                                           WMDA

            Annapolis, MD  21401

410) 260-7770           

 

 

 

 

----------

 

State of Maryland

County of: _______________________, to wit:

 

Before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for the State and County aforesaid, personally appeared Paul Fiore who made oath on this            day of ____________________, 2006 in due form of law that the matters and facts hereinabove set forth are true to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, and are his voluntary act and that he executed this document for the purpose set forth herein.

 

 

__________________________________

Notary Public

 

My Commission Expires: ______________________

 

 

                                                                   ---------------

 

State of Maryland,

County of: _______________________, to wit:

 

Before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for the State and County aforesaid, personally appeared Jill B. Martin, Staff Counsel to the State Ethics Commission, who made oath on this         day of ________________, 2006 in due form of law that she executed this agreement for the purposes set forth herein.

 

 

__________________________________

Notary Public

 

My Commission Expires:  _____________________

 

                                                                   ---------------

 

Accepted by the Commission

 

 

 

 

__________/s/________________________

Julian L. Lapides, Chairman

for the Commission

 

Date:  June 29, 2006