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In Re: Patriot Home Care,
Respondent
FACSIMILE717-787-0806
WEBSUE: www.ethics,pa.gov
HARRISBURG, PA 17120-0400
File Docket. 20-001-L
X-ref: Order No. 147-SL
Date Decided" 9/23/20
Date Mailed: 10/7/20
Before: Nicholas A. Colafella, Chair
Mark R. Corrigan, Vice Chair
Roger Nick
Melanie DePalma
Michael A. Schwartz
Shelley Y. Simms
This is a final adjudication of the State Ethics Commission as to the alleged
delinquency and/or deficiency of expense regort(s) required to be filed pursuant to
Pennsylvania's lobbying disclosure, law, 65 Pa.C.S. § 13A01 et seq., hereinafter referred
to as the "Lobbying Disclosure Law."
The Investigative Division initiated these proceedings by filing with the State Ethics
Commission and serving Respondent Patriot Home Care (hereinafter also referred
to as "Respondent' otice of Alleged Noncompliance. Respondent did not file an
Answer, Appeal, or other Request for Hearin%. A Stipulation of Findings and a Consent
Agreement were subsequently submitted y the parties to the Commission for
consideration. The Stipulated Findings are set forth as the Findings in this Order. The
Consent Agreement has been approved.
Effective January 1, 2017, the Pennsylvania Department of State
("Department of State") increased the thresholds under 65 Pa.C.S. § 13A06 for
registration under 65 Pa.C.S. § 13A04 and the threshold for reporting under 65
Pa.C.S. § 13A05(d) from $2,500.00 to $3,000.00.
In 2018 the Lobbying Disclosure Law was amended by Act 2 of 2018, and as
of April 16, 2018, the Department of State will not accept paper registrations or
expense reports.
ALLEGED NONCOMPLIANCE:
That Respondent, in its capacity as a principal registered with the Department of
State pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Law (65 Pa.C.S. § 13A01 et se%.0 ), failed
to timely file a quarterly expense report pursuant to 65 Pa.C.S. § T3--Afur the
third (3rd) quarter of 2019.
IL FINDINGS:
Respondent is Patriot Home Care ("Respondent") and' is a registered principal as
that term is defined by the Lobbying Disclosure Law, Act 134 0 2006,, Pa.C.S.
§ 13A01 et seq.
a,. Res ondent initially registered as a principal with the Department of State
on 'Tugust 22, 2019, for the registration period January 1, 2019„ through
December 31. 2020,
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b. Respondent's registration statement indicates that lobbying commenced on
August 21, 2019.
2. Respondent filed a principal registration statement with the Department of State
for the registration period January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2020.
a. By registering with the Department of State, Respondent consented to
receive service of notices, other official mailings, or process at the address
listed on the registration statement.
b. Respondent was assigned the principal registration number "P61952."
C. In filing its principal registration, Respondent identified its registered mailing
address as:
5700 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19141
3. The Lobbying Disclosure Law, specifically 65 Pa.C.S. § 13A04, states the following
regarding the registration of an entity as a principal:
§ 13A04. Registration
a. General rule. --Unless excluded under section 13A06
(relating to exemption from registration and reporting),
a lobbyist, lobbying firm or a principal must register with
the department electronically using the computerized
filing system developed by the department that is
consistent with the purposes of this chapter within ten
days of acting in any capacity as a lobbyist, lobbying
firm or principal. Registration shall be biennial and shall
begin January 1, 2007.
b. Principals and lobbying firms.--
1. A principal or lobbying firm required to register
under subsection (a) shall file a single
registration statement setting forth the following
information with the department:
i. Name of the business.
ii. Permanent address.
iii. Daytime telephone number.
iv. E-mail address of the authorized
representative employee or agent, if
available.
V. Nature of business.
vi. Name, registration number and acronym
of any affiliated political action
committees.
vii. Name and permanent business address
of each individual who will for economic
consideration engage in lobbying on
behalf of the principal or lobbying firm.
viii. Registration number when available.
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ix. Name of the authorized representative,
employee or agent.
d. Amendments.--
1. If there is a change of information required for
the registration statement under subsection
(b)1) or (2) or (c), an amended registration
statement shall be filed with the department
electronically using the computerized filing
system developed by the department that is
consistent with the purpose of this chapter
within 14 days after the change occurs.
2. When there is a change in information required
for the registration statement under subsection
(b)3), an amended registration statement shall
be iled with the department electronically using
the computerized filing system developed by the
department that is consistent with the purpose
of this chapter within 14 days of the end of the
year in which the change occurs.
65 Pa.C.S. § 13A04(a), (b)(1), (d).
4. In addition to the Lobbying Disclosure Law, the duly promulgated Regulations
provide further information in relation to registration periods and reporting periods:
§ 51.3. Registration periods and reporting periods.
a. Registration under section 13A04 of the act (relatin to
registration) shall be biennial. The first registration
period which commenced January 1, 2007, continues
through December 31, 2008. Subsequent registrations
shall commence on January 1 of each odd numbered
year.
51 Pa. Code § 51.3(a).
5. Section 13A05 of the Lobbying Disclosure Law sets forth, in part, the following
requirements for the contents of quarterly reporting forms filed by principals:
§ 13A05. Reporting
(a) General rule.-- A registered principal shall, subject to
the penalties under 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 (relating to
unsworn falsification to authorities), file quarterly
expense reports with the department electronically
using the computerized filing system developed by the
department that is consistent with the purpose of this
chapter no later than 30 days after the last day of the
quarter.
(b) Content.--
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(1) Each expense report must list the names and
registration numbers when available of all
lobbyists by whom lobbying is conducted on
behalf of the principal and the general subject
matter or issue being lobbied.
(2) Each expense re ,port shall include the total costs
of all lobbying for the period. The total shall
include all office expenses, personnel
expenses, expenditures related to gifts,
hospitality, transportation and lodging to State
officials or employees, and any other lobbying
costs. The total amount reported under this
paragraph shall be allocated in its entirety
among the following categories:
The costs for gifts, hospitality,
transportation and lodging given to or
provided to State officials or employees
or their immediate families.
The costs for direct communication.
The costs for indirect communication.
(iv) Expenses required to be reported under
this subsection shall be allocated to one
of the three categories listed under this
section and shall not be included in more
than one category.
65 Pa.C.S. § 13A05(a), (b)(1)-(2).
6. In addition to the Lobbying Disclosure Law, the duly promulgated Regulations
provide further instructions in relation to registration periods and reporting periods:
§ 51.3. Registration periods and reporting periods.
(b) Reporting under section 13A05 of the act (relating to
reporting shall be quarterly within each calendar year:
for January through March; April through June; July
through September; and October through December.
Quarterly expense reports shall be filed on or before
the 30th day after the quarterly reporting period ends.
51 Pa. Code § 51.3(b)
7. As a registered principal, Respondent is required to electronically file with the
epartment of State either a quarterly expense report or a statement of failure to
meet the reporting threshold for each quarter it has been registered as a principal,
by no later than the 30t" day after each quarterly reporting period has ended. 65
Pa.C.S. § 13A05(a), (d); 51 Pa. Code § 55.1(d)].
8. Section 13A05 of the Lobbying Disclosure Law additionally sets forth the threshold
with regard to reporting expenditures:
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(d) Thresholds for reporting.— An expense report
required under this section shall be filed electronically
using the computerized filing system developed by the
department that is consistent with the purpose of this
chapter when total expenses for lobbying exceed
J$3,0001 for a registered principal in a reporting period.
n a reporting period n which total expenses are
[$3,000] or less, a statement to that effect shall be filed
electronically using the computerized filing system
developed by the department that is consistent with the
purpose of this chapter.
65 Pa.C.S. § 13A05(d).
Section 13A03 of the Lobbying Disclosure Law defines the following terms:
"Lobbying." An effort to influence legislative action or
administrative action in this Commonwealth. The term
includes:
1 direct or indirect communication;
2 office expenses; and
3 providing any gift, hospitality, transportation or lodging
to a State official or employee for the purpose of
advancing the interest of the lobbyist or principal.
"Legislative action." An action taken by a State official or
employee involving the preparation, research, drafting,
introduction, consideration, modification, amendment,
approval, passage, enactment, tabling, postponement, defeat
or rejection of:
1 legislation;
2 legislative motions;
3 a veto by the Governor; or
4 confirmation of appointments by the Governor or
appointments to public boards or commissions by a
member of the General Assembly.
"Legislation." Bills, resolutions, amendments and
nominations pending or proposed in either the Senate or the
House of Representatives. The term includes any other
matter which may become the subject of action by either
chamber of the General Assembly.
"Direct communication." An effort, whether written, oral or
by any other medium, made by a lobbyist or principal, directed
to a State official or employee, the purpose or foreseeable
effect of which is to influence legislative action or
administrative action. The term may include personnel
expenses and office expenses.
65 Pa.C.S. § 13A03.
10. [As a registered principal, Respondent is required to electronically file with the
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Department of State either a quarterly expense report or a statement of failure to
meet the reporting threshold for each quarter it has been registered as a principal,
by no later than the 30t" day after each quarterly reporting period has ended. 65
l
Pa.C.S. § 13A05(a), (d); 51 Pa. Code § 5 O]
a. Respondent did not file a third (31d) quarter 2019 Expense Report by
October 30, 2019.
11, The Regulations promulgated under the Lobbying Disclosure Law specifically
provide the following in relation to a delinquent filing:
§ 51.4. Delinquency.
(a) A registration statement or report required to be filed under
section 13A04 or 13A05 of the act (relating to registration; and
reporting) is delinquent if not received by the Department on the
date due as follows:
(1) Hard copy filings must be received by 5 p.m. in
the office. For quarterly expense reports, from 5
p.m. until 12 a.m. midnight, a hard copy filing
may be filed with the Department's designee.
The filing location and the Department's
designee will be on the Department's web site.
i. Hard copy filings are no longer allowed
pursuant to Act 2018-2 (H.B.1175), § 2,
approved February 14, 2018, eff. April
[15], 2018.
(2) Electronic filings may be filed until 12 a.m.
midnight.
(b) A failure to timely file a registration statement, a
quarterly expense report, a separate expense report, a
notice of termination or an amendment to one of these
filings constitutes a failure to register or report as
required by the act; delinquency continues until the
filing is received by the Department in proper form.
51 Pa. Code § 51.4(a)-(b)
12. [In relation] to the filing requirements of quarterly expense reports, the Regulations
read, in part:
§ 55.1. Quarterly expense reports.
(a) A quarterly expense report is required to be filed as set
forth in this section when the total lobbying expenses
of a registered principal, registered lobbying firm or
registered lobbyist lobbying on the principals behalf,
together, exceed [$3,000] in a quarterly reporting
period. The threshold of [$3,000] includes any
economic consideration paid by a principal to a
lobbying firm or lobbyist for lobbying. Individuals
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exempt under section 13A06 of the act (relating to
exemption from registration and reporting) need not
register or report.
(b) For a quarterly reporting period in which the total
lobbying expenses of a registered principal, registered
lobbying firm or registered lobbyist lobb ing on the
principal's behalf, together, are [$3,000 or less, a
statement to that effect shall be filed with the
Department by checking the appropriate block on the
quarterly expense report form.
(d) The principal shall file a quarterly expense report or
statement of failure to meet the reporting threshold on
or before the 30th day after the quarterly reporting
period ends.
(g) A quarterly expense report of a principal re
qquired to be
registered under the act must include at least the
following information:
(3) The total costs of all lobbying for the period. The
total must include all office expenses, personnel
expenses, expenditures related to gifts,
hospitality, transportation and lodging to State
officials or employees, and any other lobbying
costs.
(i) The total amount reported under this
paragraph shall be allocated in its
entirety among the following categories:
(A) The costs for gifts, hospitality,
transportation and lodging given
to or provided to State officials or
employees or their immediate
families.
(B) The costs for direct
communication.
(C) The costs for indirect
communication.
(ii) Registrants shall use a good faith effort
to allocate expenses required to be
reported under this subsection to one of
the three categories listed herein..A given
expense may not be included in more
than one category....
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51 Pa. Code § 55.1(a), (b), (d), (g)(3)(i)-(ii).
13. A Warning Notice letter dated November 15, 2019, was sent to Respondent in
accordance with Section 13A09 of the Lobbying Disclosure Law and Section
63.4(1) of the Lobbying Disclosure Regulations of the specific allegations: that
Respondent failed to file a quarterly expense report for the third (3r) quarter of
2019.
a. Said Warning Notice was mailed to:
Johnny Patterson
Patriot Home Care
5700 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19141
b. This is the same address as listed on Respondent's principal registration
statement.
C. By submitting the principal registration statement, Respondent consented
to receipt of service of notices, other official mailings or process, at the
address listed on the registration statement. (See, Paragraph 2(a) above).
14. Said Warning Notice letter set forth the nature of the alleged noncompliance and
the administrative and criminal penalties for failing to file.
15. Said Warning Notice letter provided Respondent an opportunity to cure the alleged
noncompliance and avoid the institution of these proceedings as to alleged
noncompliance by filing a quarterly expense report for the time period covering the
third (3r) quarter of 2019 with the Department of State within thirty (30) days from
the mailing date of the Warning Notice letter.
16. The Chief of the Division of Campaign Finance and Lobbying Disclosure for the
Department of State conducted a search of the Department of State's records,
and, as of January 10, 2020, no third (3rd) quarter 2019 expense report was found
to have been filed with the Department of State for Patriot Home Care.
17. The Lobbying Disclosure Law provides for civil penalties for failing to comply with
the registration statement filing and quarterly expense reporting requirements
thereof. In pertinent part, the Lobbying Disclosure Law provides that:
a. Negligent failure to register or reportas required by this
chapter is punishable by an administrative penalty not
exceeding the following:
(i) For the first ten late days, $50 for each late day.
(ii) For each late day after the first ten late days through
the 20 late day, $100 for each late day.
(iii) For each late day after the first 20 late days, $200 for
each late day.
65 Pa.C.S. § 13A09(c)(1).
b. The total amount of the administrative penalty that may be levied after
hearing by a majority vote of all of the Commission Members shall not be
limited by any other provision of law. 65 Pa.C.S. § 13A09(c)(2).
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c. Any person that fails to comply with the requirements of the Lobbying
Disclosure Law, after notice of noncompliance and after a hearing if one is
requested, may be prohibited from lobbyying for economic consideration for
up to five (5) years [in accordance wifh 65 Pa.C.S. § 13A09(e)(4)]. 65
Pa.C.S. §§ 13A09(d), (e)(4).
18. Respondent's expense report was a total of one hundred and one (101) days
delinquent.
a. The third (3rd) quarter expense report period closed September 30, 2019.
See, 65 Pa.C.S. § 13A03 Definitions — "Reporting period."
b. Expense reports [for the third (3rd) quarter of 2019 were due to be filed by]
October 30, 2019. See, 65 Pa C.S. § 13A05(a).
c. The first day in which Respondent's third (3rd) quarter 2019 Expense Report
was delinquent was October 31, 2019.
d. Resppondent filed its third (3rd) quarter 2019 Expense Report on February 10,
2020.
e. Respondent's failure to file its third (3rd) quarter 2019 Expense Report was not
intentional, and therefore deemed negligent.
19. Respondent has instituted internal controls and procedures since receiving the
Notice of Alleged Noncompliance in order to prevent any future unintentional
failure to file a quarterly expense report.
Ill. DISCUSSION:
In the instant matter, the alleged noncompliance is that Respondent, as a principal
registered with the Pennsylvania Department of State ("Department of State") pursuant
to the Lobbyin Disclosure Law, failed to timely file a quarterly expense report pursuant
to 65 Pa.C.S. § 13A05 for the third quarter of 2019.
As noted above, the parties have submitted a Consent Agreement and Stipulation
of Findings. The parties' Stipulated Findings are set forth above as the Findings of this
Commission. We shall now summarize the relevant facts as contained therein.
Respondent initially registered as a principal with the Department of State on
August 22, 2019, for the registration period January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2020.
Respondent's registration statement indicated that lobbying commenced on August 21,
2019. Respondent was assigned the principal registration number "P61952."
Pursuant to Section 13A05 of the Lobbying Disclosure Law, 65 Pa.C.S. § 13A05,
and Section 51.3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Regulations, 51 Pa. Code § 51.3, expense
reports are filed on a quarterly basis. When a registered principal's total expenses for
lobbying exceed $3,000 for a reporting period/quarter, the principal is required to file a
quarterly expense report with the Department of State by no later than 30 days after the
last day of such quarter. For a reporting period in which total expenses are $3,000 or
less, a statement to that effect must be filed with the Department of State by the principal
byy checking the appropriate block on the quarterly expense report form. 51 Pa. Code §
55.1(b). Thus, a registered principal must file either a quarterly expense report or a
statement of failure to meet the reporting threshold by no later than the 30th day after
each quarterly reporting period ends. 51 Pa. Code § 55.1(d).
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Having registered on August 22, 2019, for the registration period January 1, 2019,
through December 31, 2020, Respondent was required to file either a quarterly expense
report or a statement of failure to meet the reporting threshold far the third quarter of 2019.
Respondent failed to file either.
Failure to timely meet the aforesaid filing requirement constitutes a failure to report
as required by the Lobbying Disclosure Law, and the delinquency continues until the filing
is received by the Department of State in proper form. 51 Pa. Code § 51.4(b).
By Warning Notice letter dated November 15, 2019, Respondent was served with
notice of the alleged noncompliance in accordance with Section 63.4(1) of the Lobbying
Disclosure Regulations, 51 Pa. Code § 63.4(1). The Warning Notice letter provided
Respoese proceedings by filindent an opportunity to cure the alleged noncompliance and avoid the institution
of thng a quarterly expense report for the third quarter of 2019 with
the Department of State within thirty (30) days of the mailing date of the Warning Notice
letter.
As of January 10, 2020, no third quarter 2019 expense report was found to have
been filed with the Department of State for Respondent.
On February 10, 2020, Respondent submitted a quarterly expense report for the
third quarter of 2019.
Negligent failure to register or report as required by the Lobbying Disclosure Law
is punishable by an administrative penalty as follows: (1) for the first ten late days, $50.00
for each late day; (2) for each late day after the first ten late days through the 20th late
day, $100 for each late day; and (3) for each late day after the first 20 late days, $200 for
each late day. 65 Pa.C.S. § 13A (c)(1).
Having highlighted the Stipulated Findings and issues before us, we shall now
apply the Lobbying Disclosure Law to determine the proper disposition of this case.
The parties' Consent Agreement sets forth a proposed resolution of the allegations
as follows:
The Investigative Division will recommend the following
conclusions in relation to the above deficiencies:
a. That Respondent, in its capacity as a Principal
registered with the Pennsylvania Department of
State pursuant to the Pennsylvania Lobbying
Disclosure Law (65 Pa.C.S. § 13A01 et seq.),
failed to timely file a Quarterly Expense Report
pursuant to 65 Pa.C.S. § 13A05, for the third
(3rd) quarter of 2019;
b. That the transgressions of the Lobbying
Disclosure Law outlined in paragraph (a) above
are deemed unintentional, and thus, merely
negligent in nature;
C. Respondent was deficient in filing its third (3rd)
quarter of 2019 Expense Report by a total of
101 days, calculated as set forth below:
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On November 15, 2019, a Warning
Notice regarding the delinquent quarterly
expense report was sent to Respondent
via First Class United States Mai[;
Respondent did not file the outstanding
Quarterly Expense Report for the third
(3rd) quarter of 2019 within the stated
cure period; and
Respondent has since properly filed all
outstanding Expense Reports on
February 10, 2020. The delinquent
period for purposes of this Consent
Agreement is calculated from the first
date the third (3rd) quarter of 2019
Expense Report was delinquent
(October 31, 2019) until the date
Re s ondent filed its third 3quarter of
2019 Expense Report �Fluary 10,
2020).
4. Respondent agrees to pay the sum of $7,170.00 in settlement
of this matter to be paid as follows:
In regard to Respondent's unintentional failure
to file a timely third (3rd) quarter 2019 ex ense
report, and pursuant to Section 13A09(c (1) of
the Lobb ing Disclosure Law, 65 Pa. S. §
13A09(c) I ), Respondent agrees to pay an
administrative penalty in the amount of $50.00
per day for the first ten (10) days, $100.00 per
day for each day after the first ten (10) late days
through the twentieth (20th) late day, and $70.00
[per day] for the remaining eighty-one (Mlined
late
days during the delinquent period as
above for a total amount of$7,170.00, which
shall be made payable to the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania and forwarded to the
Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission within
30 days of the final adjudication in this matter.
The Investigative Division will recommend that the
Commission take no further action in this matter, impose no
further sanctions, and make no specific recommendations to
any law enforcement or other authority to take action in this
matter as to either Respondent, or any individual or
representative of Respondent. Such, however, does not
prohibit the Commission from initiating appropriate
enforcement actions in the event of Respondent's failure to
comply with this agreement or the Commission's Order or
cooperating with any other authority who may so choose to
review this matter further.
Consent Agreement, at 1-2.
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In considering the Consent Agreement and Stipulation of Findings, we agree with
the parties that Respondent as a registered principal failed to timely file a quarterly
expense report with the Department of State for the third quarter of 2019 as required by
Section 13A05 of the Lobbying Disclosure Law.
Accordingly, we hold that Respondent as a registered principal failed to timely file
a quarterly expense report with the Department of State for the third quarter of 2019 as
required by Section 13A05 of the Lobbying Disclosure Law. We accept the
recommendation of the parties for a determination that the transgression of the Lobbying
Disclosure Law outlined immediately above is deemed to be unintentional, and thus,
negligent in nature.
The parties have agreed that Respondent was 101 days delinquent in filing its
quarterly expense report for the third quarter of 2019.
As part of the Consent Agreement, Respondent agreed to pay an administrative
penalty in the total amount of $7,170.00 (10 days x $50.00 + 10 days x $100.00 + 81 days
x $70.00 = $7,170.00), payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and forwarded to
this Commission within thirty days of the final adjudication in this matter.
We determine that the Consent Agreement submitted by the parties sets forth a
proper disposition for this case, based upon our review as reflected in the above analysis
and the totality of the facts and circumstances. Accordingly, we approve the Consent
Agreement that has been submitted by the parties.
This Commission hereby levies one administrative penalty against Respondent
Patriot Home Care in the total amount of $7,170.00 for its delinquent quarterly expense
report for the third quarter of 2019, calculated as follows: $50.00 per day for the first ten
days its third quarter 2019 expense report was delinquent, plus $100.00 er day for the
next ten days its third quarter 2019 expense report was delinquent, plus 970.00 per day
for the remaining eighty-one days its third quarter 2019 expense report was delinquent
(10 days x $50.00 + 10 days x $100.00 + 81 days x $70.00 = $7,170.00).
To the extent it has not already done so, Respondent Patriot Home Care is directed
to pay the aforesaid administrative penalty in the total amount of $7,170.00 to be made
payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and forwarded to this Commission by no
later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the mailing date of this adjudication and Order.
Noncompliance will result in the institution of an order enforcement action.
IV. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW:
1. As a principal registered with the Pennsylvania Department of State ("Department
of State") under principal registration number "P61952," Patriot Home Care has
been subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13A05 of Pennsylvania's
lobbying disclosure law ("Lobbying Disclosure Law"), 65 Pa.C.S. § 13A05.
2. Patriot Home Care, in its capacity as a principal registered with the Department of
State under principal registration number "P61952,' failed to timely file a quarterly
expense report with the Department of State for the third quarter of 2019 as
required by Section 13A05 of the Lobbying Disclosure Law, 65 Pa.C.S. § 13A05.
3. The transgression of the Lobbying Disclosure Law outlined in paragraph 2
immediately above is deemed to e unintentional, and thus, negligent in nature.
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The prerequisite service of a warning notice in accordance with Section 63.4(1) of
the Lobbying Disclosure Regulations, 51 Pa. Code § 63.4(1), was satisfied.
Based upon the totality of the circumstances in this case, the imposition of an
administrative penalty in the total amount of $7,170.00 is warranted (10 days x
$50.00 + 10 days x $100.00 + 81 days x $70.00 = $7,170.00).
In Re: Patriot Home Care, File Docket:20-001-L
Respondent Date Decided: 9/23/20
Date Mailed: 1017120
Q
ORDER NO. 147-SL
Patriot Home Care, in its capacity as a principal registered with the Pennsylvania
Department of State ("Department of State") under principal registration number
"P61952," failed to timely file a quarterly expense report with the Department of
State for the third quarter of 2019 as required by Section 13A05 of Pennsylvania's
lobbying disclosure law ("Lobbying Disclosure Law"), 65 Pa.C.S. § 13A05.
The transgression of the Lobbying Disclosure Law outlined in paragraph
immediately above is deemed to be unintentional, and thus, negligent in nature.
Pursuant to Section 13A09(c) of the Lobbying Disclosure Law, 65 Pa.C.S. §
13A09(c), and the Consent Agreement of the parties, this Commission hereby
levies one administrative penalty a ainst Patriot Home Care in the total amount of
$7,170.00, calculated as follows: %50.00 per day for the first ten days its third
quarter 2019 expense report was delinquent, plus $100.00 per day for the next
ten days its third quarter 2019 expense report was delinquent, plus $70.00 per day
for the remaining eight one days its third qquarter 2019 expense report was
delinquent (10 days x $50.00 + 10 days x $10010 + 81 days x $70.00 = $7,170.00).
To the extent it has not already done so, Patriot Home Care is ordered to pay the
aforesaid administrative penalty in the total amount of $7,170.00 to be made
payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and forwarded to the Pennsylvania
State Ethics Commission by no later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the mailing
date of this Order.
Noncompliance with Paragraph 4 of this Order will result in the Commission
initiating appropriate enforcement action(s).
BY THE COMMISSION,
•las A. Colafella,