LOBBYIST
FILING AGREEMENT
This
Agreement, made this 19th day of June, 2006, by and between Paul
Blackwood, lobbyist for Dimensions Healthcare System 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.
Paul
Blackwood (“the filer”) is an individual whose lobbying activities on behalf of
Dimensions Healthcare System during the period of May 1, 2005 through October
31, 2005 required him to register as a lobbyist with the State Ethics
Commission.
The filer
did not timely register on behalf of the employer, Dimensions Healthcare System
(“the employer”) as required by the State Gov.Md.Code Ann.,
§15-703(d)(1)(Supp.2005).
The filer
subsequently registered on February 21, 2006 for the period May 1, 2005 through
October 31, 2005.
On June 21,
2005, the employer sponsored a special event for the Prince George’s County
Delegation at the Prince George’s Hospital.
On
September 15, 2005, the employer sponsored a special event for the Prince
George’s County Delegation at the Greenbelt, MD Marriott.
On
September 20, 2005, the employer sponsored a special event for the House
Appropriations Committee at the Prince George’s Hospital.
On October
26, 2005, the employer sponsored a special event for the Prince George’s County
Delegation at the Laurel Regional Hospital.
On December
5, 2005, the filer submitted a lobbying activity report on behalf of the
employer for the period May 1, 2005 through October 31, 2005; the filer
reported expenditures of $13,566.40 for the special events held on June 21,
2005, September 15, 2005, September 20, 2005 and October 26, 2005; and 5,000 in
total compensation.
The filer
did not file any of the required Form 13Es (“Five Day Notice”) within 5 days of
the special events or any required 13Fs (“Fourteen Day Report”) for the special
events within 14 days of the events, as required by the State Government
Article, Section 15-708(d)(1) of the Ethics Law.
The filer
subsequently filed a Fourteen Day Report for all four (4) events on January 9,
2006. The filer reported $13,566.40 in
total cost for the events.
The filer
is voluntarily entering into this agreement to admit his failure to timely file
a lobbyist registration and the Fourteen Day Reports 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 lobbyist registration form by
the filer on February 21, 2006 and the Fourteen Day Report on January 9, 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 Dimensions HealthCare System for the period May
1, 2005 through October 31, 2005 as required by §15-703(d)(1) of the Ethics
Law.
2. The filer reported his delinquency to the
Commission on February 21, 2006 by filing his registration form (a copy of
which has been attached hereto and made a part thereof).
3. The filer admits he did not timely file his
Five Day Notices and Fourteen Day Reports on behalf of the special events
hosted by Dimensions Healthcare System as required by §15-708(d)(1) of the
Ethics Law.
4. The filer reported his delinquency to the
Commission on January 9, 2006 by filing his Fourteen Day Report (a copy of
which has been attached hereto and made a part thereof).
5. 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.
6. Based on the facts stated in this agreement
the filer agrees to pay as settlement of the late filing matter, the amount of
One Thousand Dollars ($1000.00) 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 and Fourteen Day Report (paragraphs 1 and
3).
7. 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 and report. 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.
8. 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.
9. The filer understands a copy of this
agreement will be mailed to his employer.
10. 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 the Fourteen Day Report and for the payment
of late fees and other fines and for no other purpose.
IN WITNESS
WHEREOF,
Paul Blackwood and Jill B. Martin, Staff Counsel, State Ethics Commission, have
hereunto set their hands.
/s/ ___________/s/__________________
Jill B.
Martin, Staff Counsel Paul
Blackwood
State
Ethics Commission Lobbyist
45
Calvert Street, 3rd Floor Dimensions
Healthcare System
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 Blackwood 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