Every year, many state and local public officers and employees receive automatic fines because they file their annual financial disclosure forms late or not at all. The fines are $25 a day, and continue to accrue until the official either files the form, or the fine reaches $1,500—whichever comes first. In addition, recent changes in the law now require the Commission on Ethics to initiate complaints against those who don’t file, and the penalty is removal from office or employment!
The Commission on Ethics wants people to file their disclosure forms on time and thus avoid these problems.
Financial Disclosure is Due!!!
Annual Financial Disclosure must be filed or postmarked no later than September 1, 2015 to avoid automatic fines of $25 per day
-If you are a person who files disclosure, please—make sure it’s filed or postmarked by September 1, 2015.
-If you supervise persons who are required to file, please check their filing status, and remind them to file on time.
-If you serve as an adviser to persons who are required to file, please check their filing status, and remind them to file.
Whether you file with the Supervisor of Elections or the Commission on Ethics, you can check the Commission’s website at www.ethics.state.fl.us to see whether a form has been received.
Reminder: The $25/day penalty will begin accruing on September 2. If you have any questions, please contact:
Virlindia Doss
Executive Director
Florida Commission on Ethics
(850) 488-7864