Order  In the Matter of James Jones

Date:	05/24/2018
Organization:	State Ethics Commission
Docket Number:	18-0003

Final Order

On May 2, 2018, Petitioner filed a Motion to Accept Respondent’s Payment of Civil Penalty and to Dismiss the Adjudicatory Proceedings (“Motion”).

In this action, Petitioner alleges that Respondent James Jones, who has retired as a State Police Major, held a major policymaking position for purposes of G.L. c. 268B, and served for more than 30 days in 2016, but failed to file a Statement of Financial Interests (“SFI”) for calendar year (“CY”) 2016 by May 1, 2017 in violation of G.L.  c. 268B, § 5.  Petitioner alleges that on May 19, 2017, the Commission sent Jones a Formal Notice of Lateness (“Notice”) advising him that his CY 2016 SFI had not been filed and was delinquent, that the Commission would impose civil penalties if he failed to file within 10 days of receiving the Notice, and that he would not incur civil penalties if he filed by June 1, 2017.

Jones filed his CY 2016 SFI on November 6, 2017.  A schedule established by the Commission sets civil penalties for SFIs filed later than 10 days after receipt of a Notice.  A penalty of $1,250 is set for an SFI filed during the period between 121 days late and the day before an Order to Show Cause is issued.  Petitioner demanded that Jones pay a penalty of $1,250.

The grounds for Petitioner’s Motion are that Respondent has delivered a certified check for $1,250 to the Commission in full payment of the penalty demanded.

Wherefore, the Commission accepts Respondent’s payment of the civil penalty and allows Petitioner’s Motion.  The adjudicatory proceeding is hereby DISMISSED.