LOBBYIST FILING AGREEMENT

 

 

This Agreement, made this 19th day of March, 2008, by and between Mary S. Morin, lobbyist for the Anne Arundel County Medical Society, Prince George’s Medical Society and Howard County Medical Society and William J. Colquhoun, Staff Counsel to the Maryland State Ethics Commission (hereinafter “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.

 

 Mary S. Morin (“the filer”) is an individual whose lobbying activities on behalf of the Anne Arundel County Medical Society, Prince George’s Medical Society and Howard County Medical Society during the period of November 7, 2008 to April 30, 2008, required her to register as a lobbyist with the State Ethics Commission.

 

The filer did not timely register on behalf of the employers, Arundel County Medical Society, Prince George’s Medical Society and Howard County Medical Society (“the employers”) as required by the Md. Code. Ann., State Gov’t. Art., §15-703(d)(1)(Supp.2007).

 

The filer subsequently registered on February 13, 2008, for the Anne Arundel County Medical Society, and on February 15, 2008 for the Prince George’s Medical Society and Howard County Medical Society, all for the period of November 7, 2008 to April 30, 2008.

 

The filer is voluntarily entering into this agreement to admit her failure to timely file a lobbyist registration with the Commission and to pay a sum of money in lieu of potential late filing fees and other fines pursuant to Section 15-405 of the Ethics Law.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the submission of the required lobbyist registration forms by the filer on February 13, 2008 and February 15, 2008, and the admissions and agreements herein contained, the filer and Staff Counsel stipulate and agree as follows:

 

1.  The filer did not timely file her lobbyist registration form on behalf of Arundel County Medical Society, Prince George’s Medical Society and Howard County Medical Society for the period of  November 7, 2008 to April 30, 2008, as required by §15-703(d)(1) of the Ethics Law.

 


2.  The filer reported her delinquency to the Commission via letter on February 8, 2008.  She filed her registration forms (a copy of which has been attached hereto and made a part thereof) on February 13, 2008 and February 15, 2008.

 

3.  The filer understands that failure to comply with the lobbying disclosure provisions of the Ethics Law may subject her 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 Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) at the time of the execution of this agreement in lieu of a potential late fees and in lieu of civil fines for the above admitted late registration statement (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 register. 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 she would be entitled if a complaint were issued, and she 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 her employer.

 

8.  The filer and the Staff Counsel have entered into this Agreement for the sole purpose of resolving the late submission of a lobbyist registration statement and for the payment of late fees and other fines and for no other purpose.

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Mary S. Morin, and Staff Counsel, State Ethics Commission, have hereunto set their hands.

 

 

 

                                                                                    __________/s/_________________      

William J/s/. Colquhoun, Staff Counsel              Mary S. Morin

State Ethics Commission                                   Lobbyist

45 Calvert Street, 3rd Floor                               Anne Arundel County Medical Society

Annapolis, MD  21401                         Prince George’s County Medical Society

(410) 260-7770                                               Howard County Medical Society         

 

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State of Maryland

County of: _______________________, to wit:

 

Before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for the State and County aforesaid, personally appeared Mary S. Morin, who made oath on this            day of ____________________, 2008 in due form of law that the matters and facts hereinabove set forth are true to the best of her knowledge, information and belief, and are her voluntary act and that she 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 William J. Colquhoun, Staff Counsel to the State Ethics Commission, who made oath on this         day of ________________, 2008 in due form of law that he executed this agreement for the purposes set forth herein.

 

 

__________________________________

Notary Public

 

My Commission Expires:  _____________________

 

 

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

 

Accepted by the Commission

 

 

______/s/_______________________

Robert F. Scholz, Chairman

for the Commission

 

Date:  April 17, 2008