Several Covington and Porterdale candidates owe at least one fine to the State Ethics Commission for filing a campaign report late, but nearly all of them have at least filed the required reports.
Some of the delays were a result of tardiness, while others are due to changes in filing laws that went into affect this year. Local officials previously filed with their local city clerk, but now have to file with the State Ethics Commission. In addition, officials are encouraged to file electronically which caused difficulties for some candidates.
According to an online Nov. 4 Atlanta Journal Constitution article, late filers can be hit with fines in excess of $1,000, but many late fees have been reduced to $125 because the State Ethics Commission "did not meet its own deadline to send filers late notices by certified mail."
Candidates are required to file financial disclosure reports, which show property they own, companies they invest in and other personal financial information, and campaign contribution reports, which show how much they have received for and spent on their political campaigns.
The reports are required under the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Act and can be viewed on ethics.ga.gov.
Because electronic filing is still fairly new, and errors in the filing process can cause delays, The News called all Covington candidates and Porterdale mayoral candidates Saturday to give them a chance to explain any fines they have accrued.
Name: Ronnie Johnston
Seat seeking: Covington mayor
Fine amount: $125
Reason for fine: 2 days late filing financial disclosure
Explanation of fine: Thought he filed on time, but was only days late, has not received notice of fine.
Money received/spent on campaign: $0/$9,840.11
Name: Bobby Sigman
Seat seeking: Covington mayor
Fine amount: $250
Reason for fine: 24 and 41 days late filing Sept. campaign contribution and financial disclosure
Explanation of fine: Got tied up and was late filing, had trouble filing digitally because was not done previously, has not received notice of fine.
Money received/spent on campaign: $0/around $3,360
Name: Lamar Brown
Seat seeking: Covington post 2 council east
Fine amount: $0
Reason for fine: (No fines)
Explanation of fine: (No fines)
Money received/spent on campaign: $5,443.80 ($1,193.80 in loans)/$4,221.14
Name: Keith Dalton
Seat seeking: Covington post 2 council east
Fine amount: $125
Reason for fine: He has not filed Sept. campaign contribution
Explanation of fine: Believes he filed everything, said he received an email saying state system was overwhelmed because of new digital filing process.
Money received/spent on campaign: $0/around $70 (reused old signs)
Name: Ronald Martin
Seat seeking: Covington post 3 council east
Fine amount: $250
Reason for fine: 21 and 40 days late filing Sept. campaign contribution and financial disclosure
Explanation of fine: Was late and said he has not yet paid fine, said was new at process and didn't realize he had missed deadlines.
Money received/spent on campaign: $0/ around $5,000
Name: Michael Whatley
Seat seeking: Covington post 3 council east
Fine amount: $125
Reason for fine: Has not filed Sept. financial disclosure
Explanation of fine: (Could not be reached Saturday); Called The News Sunday and said he had filed all of the required paperwork
Money received/spent on campaign: $1,700/$1,331.53
Name: Arline Chapman
Seat seeking: Porterdale mayor
Fine amount: $250
Reason for fine: 27 and 111 days late filing Sept. and July campaign contribution
Explanation of fine: Had trouble getting appropriate e-filing pin number, because had to file for both former council seat and mayor's race; mailed in paperwork but got buried; said state told her she won't be fined.
Money received/spent on campaign: $750/$697.89
Name: Bobby Hamby
Seat seeking: Porterdale mayor
Fine amount: $0
Reason for fine: $0
Explanation of fine: (No fines)
Money received/spent on campaign: $0/$233.26
