LOBBYIST FILING AGREEMENT
This Agreement, made this 24th day of March, 2008, by
and between Thomas Saquella, lobbyist for Maryland Retail Merchants
Association, 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.
Thomas Saquella (“the
filer”) is an individual whose lobbying activities on behalf of Maryland Retail
Merchants Association, Inc. during the period of November 1, 2007 to October 31, 2008, required him to register as a lobbyist with the State
Ethics Commission.
The filer did not timely register on behalf of the
employer Maryland Retail Merchants Association, Inc., (“the employer”) as
required by the Md. Code. Ann., State Gov’t. Art., §15-703(d)(1)(Supp.2007).
The filer subsequently registered on January 17, 2008 for
the period of November
1, 2007 to October 31, 2008.
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 January 17, 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 his lobbyist registration form on behalf of Maryland Retail Merchants Association, Inc. for
the period of November 1, 2007 to October 31, 2008, as required by §15-703(d)(1) of the Ethics Law.
2. The filer
reported his delinquency to the Commission on January 17, 2008. He filed his registration form (a copy of
which has been attached hereto and made a part thereof) on January 17, 2008.
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 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 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 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,
Thomas Saquella, and William J. Colquhoun, Staff Counsel, State Ethics
Commission, have hereunto set their hands.
/s/
_________/s/____________________
William J. Colquhoun, Staff Counsel Thomas
Saquella
State Ethics Commission Lobbyist
(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 Thomas Saquella, 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
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
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