LOBBYIST
FILING AGREEMENT
This
Agreement, made this 12th day of September, 2006, by and between John Townsend
II, lobbyist for AAA Mid-Atlantic and Jill B. Martin, Esquire, who has been designated
Staff Counsel for this matter by the Maryland State Ethics Commission
(hereinafter the Staff Counsel).
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.
John
Townsend II (“the filer”) is an individual whose lobbying activities on behalf
of AAA Mid-Atlantic during the period of January 26, 2006 through October 31,
2006 required him to register as a lobbyist with the State Ethics Commission.
The filer
did not timely register on behalf of the employer, AAA Mid-Atlantic (“the
employer”) as required by the State Gov.Md.Code Ann.,
§15-703(d)(1)(Supp.2005).
The filer
subsequently registered on July 12, 2006 for the period January 26, 2006through
October 31, 2006.
The filer
is voluntarily entering into this agreement to admit his 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 form by
the filer on July 12, 2006 and the admissions and agreements herein contained,
the filer and the Staff Counsel stipulate and agree as follows:
1. The filer did not timely file his lobbyist
registration form on behalf of AAA Mid-Atlantic for the period January 26, 2006
through October 31, 2006 as required by §15-703(d)(1) of the Ethics Law.
2. The filer reported his delinquency to the
Commission on July 12, 2006 by filing his registration form (a copy of which
has 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 a potential late fee 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 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 a
lobbyist registration statement and for the payment of late fees and other
fines and for no other purpose.
IN WITNESS
WHEREOF,
John Townsend II and Jill B. Martin, Staff Counsel, State Ethics Commission,
have hereunto set their hands.
/s/ _________/s/____________________
Jill B.
Martin, Staff Counsel John
Townsend II
State
Ethics Commission Lobbyist
45 Calvert
Street, 3rd Floor AAA
Mid-Atlantic
Annapolis,
MD 21401
(410)
260-7770
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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 John Townsend 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: September 21, 2006