The Louisiana Board of Ethics took significant actions regarding campaign finance reports. Jay Dardenne, a longtime elected official and Gov. John Bel Edwards' commissioner of administration, was fined $3,000 for filing four reports months after their deadlines. Dardenne, who also held other offices like lieutenant governor and secretary of state, initially faced a $12,000 fine but it was reduced to $3,000 after his personal apology at the Friday meeting. He admitted to not having an excuse for the late filings and said he had gotten into the habit of filing annually in previous years. These four reports were related to his political action committee, JAY PAC, and were supposed to be submitted during 2023. Dardenne made small campaign contributions from this account for state elections. He is a Republican and donated between $250 and $500 to several candidates. The fine for missing a PAC campaign reporting deadline was $200 per day for up to 15 days, reaching a maximum of $3,000. Dardenne's four reports were 75 to 162 days late. He set up JAY PAC during his 2015 gubernatorial bid and said he hadn't used it much recently, with no more than $7,600 in it last year. He recently drained the PAC by making charitable donations and plans to close it by the end of the year.The ethics board also fined two state senators for not submitting their PAC campaign finance reports on time. Sen. Kirk Talbot, R-River Ridge, was fined $1,000 for filing a campaign finance report 33 days late in 2019. The board reduced his penalty from $3,000 as his former accountant took responsibility, saying he was locked out of his files. Sen. Jay Luneau, D-Alexandria, was fined $500 for filing his LA PAC report 15 days late in 2023. The board cut his fine to $500 as he explained that his new accountant was unfamiliar with PAC deadlines while caring for a sick parent who was also his business partner.

Louisiana Ethics Board's Impact on Campaign Finance

Jay Dardenne's Campaign Finance Missteps

1: Jay Dardenne's case highlights the importance of timely filing of campaign finance reports. As a prominent elected official, his actions set an example for others. The fact that he initially faced a large fine but was able to have it reduced through his apology shows the board's consideration. It also emphasizes the need for officials to be more diligent in their reporting. 2: Dardenne's habit of filing annually instead of on time shows a lack of awareness or discipline. This incident serves as a reminder that even those in high positions must adhere to the rules and regulations governing campaign finance. It could potentially lead to a re-evaluation of reporting processes and increased oversight.

Senators' Late Filings and Their Explanations

1: The cases of Sen. Kirk Talbot and Sen. Jay Luneau demonstrate the diverse reasons for late filing of PAC campaign finance reports. Talbot's former accountant's mistake and Luneau's new accountant's unfamiliarity with deadlines both highlight the potential for human error in the process. It also shows the need for better communication and coordination between accountants and their clients. 2: The fact that both senators were able to have their fines reduced shows the board's willingness to consider extenuating circumstances. However, it also raises questions about the adequacy of the current reporting system and whether more safeguards are needed to prevent such late filings in the future.