LOBBYIST FILING AGREEMENT
This Agreement, made this 11th day of February, 2008, by
and between Gally Public Affairs, Inc. and William J. Colquhoun, Staff Counsel
to the Maryland State Ethics Commission (hereinafter “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.
Gally Public Affairs, Inc. (“the filer”) is a governmental
relations firm who had lobbying activities during the period of November 1,
2006 through October 31, 2007 requiring
it to register as a lobbyist with the State Ethics Commission.
The filer did not timely register as required by the Md.
Code. Ann., State Gov’t. Art., §15-703(d)(1)(Supp.2007).
The filer did not timely file an activity report as
required by the Md. Code. Ann., State Gov’t. Art., §15-704(a)(i)(Supp.2007).
On January 30, 2007, the filer held a reception at Harry
Brown’s Restaurant, in
The filer did not file Form 13E (“Five Day Notice”)
within 5 days of the reception or a 13F (“Fourteen Day Report”) for the special
event within 14 days of the event, as required by the Md. Code. Ann., State
Gov’t. Art., §15-708(d)(1)(Supp.2007).
The filer subsequently registered and filed an activity
report, the Five Day Notice and the Fourteen Day Report on November 28, 2007.
The filer is voluntarily entering into this agreement to
admit its failure to timely file a lobbyist registration, activity report, Five
Day Notice and Fourteen Day Report 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,
activity report, Five Day Notice and Fourteen Day Report by the filer on
November 28, 2007 and the admissions and agreements herein contained, the filer
and Staff Counsel stipulate and agree as follows:
1. The filer did
not timely file its lobbyist registration form as required by §15-703(d)(1) of
the Ethics Law.
2. The filer did
not timely file an activity report as required by the Md. Code. Ann., State
Gov’t. Art., §15-704(a)(i)(Supp.2007).
3. The filer
admits that it did not timely file its Five Day Notice and Fourteen Day Report
in regard to the reception held by the filer as required by the Md. Code. Ann.,
State Gov’t. Art., §15-708(d)(1)(Supp.2007).
4. The filer
reported its delinquency to the Commission on November 28, 2007. It filed its registration form, activity
report, Five Day Notice and Fourteen Day Report (a copy of which has been
attached hereto and made a part thereof) the same day.
5. The filer
understands that failure to comply with the lobbying disclosure provisions of
the Ethics Law may subject it 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 Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($750.00) 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).
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. 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.
10. The filer and
the Staff Counsel have entered into this Agreement for the sole purpose of
resolving the late submission of a lobbyist registration and later reports and
for the payment of late fees and for no other purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
Amy Stratton, representing Gally Public Affairs, Inc., and Staff Counsel, State
Ethics Commission, have hereunto set their hands.
/s/ _________/s/_________________
William J. Colquhoun, Staff Counsel Amy
Stratton
State Ethics Commission Gally
Public Affairs, Inc.
(410) 260-7770
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State
of
County
of: _______________________, to wit:
Before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for
the State and County aforesaid, personally appeared Amy Stratton, and acknowledged that she was an individual authorized to execute this
document on behalf of Gally Public Affairs, Inc., and that she executed this
document for the purpose set forth herein on behalf of Gally Public Affairs,
Inc.
__________________________________
Notary Public
My
Commission Expires: ______________________
---------------
State
of
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: March 6, 2008