LOBBYIST FILING
AGREEMENT
This Agreement, made
this 31st day of August, 2006, by and between James Lupis, Jr.,
lobbyist for Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland 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.
James Lupis, Jr. (“the
filer”) is an individual whose lobbying activities on behalf of Public School
Superintendents’ Association of Maryland during the period of November 1, 2005
through April 30, 2006 required him to register as a lobbyist with the State
Ethics Commission.
The filer did not timely
register on behalf of the employer, Public School Superintendents’ Association
of Maryland (“the employer”) as required by the State Gov.Md.Code Ann.,
§15-703(d)(1)(Supp.2005).
The filer subsequently
registered on July 10, 2006 for the period November 1, 2005 through April 30,
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 10,
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 Public School Superintendents’ Association of
Maryland for the period November 1, 2005 through April 30, 2006 as required by
§15-703(d)(1) of the Ethics Law.
2. The filer reported his delinquency to the
Commission on July 10, 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, James Lupis, Jr., and
Jill B. Martin, Staff Counsel, State Ethics Commission, have hereunto set their
hands.
/s/ _______/s/______________________
Jill B. Martin, Staff
Counsel James
Lupis, Jr.
State Ethics Commission Lobbyist
45 Calvert Street, 3rd
Floor Public
School Superintendents’
Annapolis, MD 21401 Association
of Maryland
(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 James Lupis, Jr., 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