Fairmount Heights Code of Ethics/Ethics Board

The requirements herein set forth shall constitute a code of ethics establishing reasonable standards and guidelines for the ethical conduct of public officers and employees of the Town. The provisions of such code shall also apply all candidates for the public office as well as publicly elected officials, appointed officials and the Town employees. Section 2-102. Ethics Commission There shall be a Town of Fairmont Heights Ethics Commission which shall be composed of three (3) members appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Council. The Commission shall be advised by the Town Attorney and shall be responsible for: (1) Devising, receiving, and maintaining all forms Generated by the Code of Ethics; (2) Providing published advisory opinions to persons Subject to the Code of Ethics describing the applicability of specific provisions of said Code to such persons; and (3) Processing and making determinations as to complaints filed by any person alleging violation of the Code of Ethics. Section 2-103. Conflicts of Interest (a)No Town official or employee who is subject to the Provisions of the Code of Ethics shall: (1)Participate on behalf of the Town in any matter which would to his knowledge, have a direct financial impact on him, his spouse or dependent child, or a business entity that with which either is affiliated; (2) Hold or acquire an interest of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) or greater in a business entity that has negotiated or is engaged in negotiating a contract with the Town of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) or more or otherwise have any direct financial interest in any commercial entity which is currently conducting business with the Town, except as exempted by the Commission where 6 the interest is disclosed pursuant to the provision of Section 2-104 of this Article; (3) Be employed by any business entity which has negotiated or is engaged in negotiating s contract of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) or more with the Town, or is conducting business with the Town except as exempted by the Commission pursuant to the provisions of Section 2-104; (4) Hold any outside employment relationship that would Impair his impartiality or independence of judgment; (5) Represent any party, for a contingency fee, before any Town body; (6) Act as compensated representative of another in connection with any specific matter in which he has Substantially participated as a Town official or employee Within one (1) year following termination of Town service by the same; (7) Use the prestige of his office for his own private gain or that of another; (8) Disclose or use for his own economic benefit or that of another party confidential information which he has acquired by reason of his public position and which is not available to the general public; or (9) Solicit a gift of any kind or knowingly accept any gift; directly or indirectly, from any person whom the official or employee knows pr has reason to know; a. Is doing or seeking to do business of any kind with his agency; b. Is engaged in activities which are regulated or controlled by his agency; c. Has financial interests which may be substantially and materially affected, in a manner distinguishable from the public generally, by the performance or nonperformance of his official duty. Section 2-104. Financial Disclosure (a) Each official holding an office set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section shall file under oath or affirmation with the Ethics Commission, on or before the thirty-first (31st) day of January of each year during that person’s term of office, a statement disclosing any gift having a value greater that 7 twenty-five dollars ($25.00) received during the preceding calendar year from any person having a contract or doing business in or with the Town. The statement shall identify the donor of the gift and its approximate retail value at the time of receipt. (b) Officials required to file include the Mayor, council members, department heads, and other administratively appointed officials. (c) All candidates for elective office shall file statements pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section at the same time that they file their certificate of candidacy. (d) Within a reasonable time prior to the taking of any proposed action in which an official subject to the provisions of this Article has a personal interest or financial interest, said official shall file with the Ethics Commission a statement disclosing such interest for which the holding thereof would require disqualification from participation by said official pursuant to Section 2-103 of this Article. (e) Disclosure statements filed pursuant to this Article shall be maintained by the Ethics Commission for not less than three (3) years as public records available for public inspection and copying. Section 2-105. Lobbying Disclosure (a) Any individual who appears in person before any official or employee with the intent to influence said official or employee in the performance of his official duties, and who, in connection with such intent expends or reasonably expects to expend in a given calendar year an amount in excess of one hundred dollars ($100.00) on food, entertainment or other gifts for such official or employee, shall file a registration statement with Ethics Commission on or before the fifteenth (15th) day of January of said calendar year or within five (5) days after first making such appearance. (b) The registration statement, aforesaid, shall include a complete identification of the registrant and of any other person on whose behalf the registrant acts. Such statement shall also indicate the subject matter on which the registrant proposes to make an appearance, and shall cover a defines period not to exceed one (1) calendar year. (c) Registrants under this Section shall file a report within thirty (30) days after the end of any calendar year during which they are registered, disclosing the value, date, and nature of any food, entertainment or other gift provided to a Town official or employee. When the value a gift or series of gifts 8 to a single official or employee exceeds twenty-five dollars ($25.00, the official or employee shall also be identified. (d) The registrations and reports filed pursuant to this Section shall be maintained by the Ethics Commission as public records available for public inspection and copying. Section 2-106. Exemption and Modifications The Ethics Commission may grant exemptions and modifications to the provisions of Sections 2-103 and 2-104 of this Article if it determines that application of those provisions would; (1) Constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy; (2) Significantly reduce the availability of qualified persons for public service; or (3) Not be required to preserve the purposes of this Chapter. Section 2-107. Enforcement (a) The Commission may issue a cease and desist order against any person found to be in violation of the provision of this Article and may seek enforcement of such order in the circuit Court of Prince George’s County. (b) Any Town official or employee who knowingly or willingly violates the provisions of this Article shall be subject to termination of employment and other appropriate disciplinary action, including suspension of Town salary or other compensation. Such official or employee shall also be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1, 000.00) or imprisonment of not more than (1) year, or both. s establishing reasonable standards and guidelines for the ethical conduct of public officers and employees of the Town. The provisions of such code shall also apply all candidates for the public office as well as publicly elected officials, appointed officials and the Town employees. Section 2-102. Ethics Commission There shall be a Town of Fairmont Heights Ethics Commission which shall be composed of three (3) members appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Council. The Commission shall be advised by the Town Attorney and shall be responsible for: (1) Devising, receiving, and maintaining all forms Generated by the Code of Ethics; (2) Providing published advisory opinions to persons Subject to the Code of Ethics describing the applicability of specific provisions of said Code to such persons; and (3) Processing and making determinations as to complaints filed by any person alleging violation of the Code of Ethics. Section 2-103. Conflicts of Interest (a)No Town official or employee who is subject to the Provisions of the Code of Ethics shall: (1)Participate on behalf of the Town in any matter which would to his knowledge, have a direct financial impact on him, his spouse or dependent child, or a business entity that with which either is affiliated; (2) Hold or acquire an interest of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) or greater in a business entity that has negotiated or is engaged in negotiating a contract with the Town of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) or more or otherwise have any direct financial interest in any commercial entity which is currently conducting business with the Town, except as exempted by the Commission where 6 the interest is disclosed pursuant to the provision of Section 2-104 of this Article; (3) Be employed by any business entity which has negotiated or is engaged in negotiating s contract of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) or more with the Town, or is conducting business with the Town except as exempted by the Commission pursuant to the provisions of Section 2-104; (4) Hold any outside employment relationship that would Impair his impartiality or independence of judgment; (5) Represent any party, for a contingency fee, before any Town body; (6) Act as compensated representative of another in connection with any specific matter in which he has Substantially participated as a Town official or employee Within one (1) year following termination of Town service by the same; (7) Use the prestige of his office for his own private gain or that of another; (8) Disclose or use for his own economic benefit or that of another party confidential information which he has acquired by reason of his public position and which is not available to the general public; or (9) Solicit a gift of any kind or knowingly accept any gift; directly or indirectly, from any person whom the official or employee knows pr has reason to know; a. Is doing or seeking to do business of any kind with his agency; b. Is engaged in activities which are regulated or controlled by his agency; c. Has financial interests which may be substantially and materially affected, in a manner distinguishable from the public generally, by the performance or nonperformance of his official duty. Section 2-104. Financial Disclosure (a) Each official holding an office set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section shall file under oath or affirmation with the Ethics Commission, on or before the thirty-first (31st) day of January of each year during that person’s term of office, a statement disclosing any gift having a value greater that 7 twenty-five dollars ($25.00) received during the preceding calendar year from any person having a contract or doing business in or with the Town. The statement shall identify the donor of the gift and its approximate retail value at the time of receipt. (b) Officials required to file include the Mayor, council members, department heads, and other administratively appointed officials. (c) All candidates for elective office shall file statements pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section at the same time that they file their certificate of candidacy. (d) Within a reasonable time prior to the taking of any proposed action in which an official subject to the provisions of this Article has a personal interest or financial interest, said official shall file with the Ethics Commission a statement disclosing such interest for which the holding thereof would require disqualification from participation by said official pursuant to Section 2-103 of this Article. (e) Disclosure statements filed pursuant to this Article shall be maintained by the Ethics Commission for not less than three (3) years as public records available for public inspection and copying. Section 2-105. Lobbying Disclosure (a) Any individual who appears in person before any official or employee with the intent to influence said official or employee in the performance of his official duties, and who, in connection with such intent expends or reasonably expects to expend in a given calendar year an amount in excess of one hundred dollars ($100.00) on food, entertainment or other gifts for such official or employee, shall file a registration statement with Ethics Commission on or before the fifteenth (15th) day of January of said calendar year or within five (5) days after first making such appearance. (b) The registration statement, aforesaid, shall include a complete identification of the registrant and of any other person on whose behalf the registrant acts. Such statement shall also indicate the subject matter on which the registrant proposes to make an appearance, and shall cover a defines period not to exceed one (1) calendar year. (c) Registrants under this Section shall file a report within thirty (30) days after the end of any calendar year during which they are registered, disclosing the value, date, and nature of any food, entertainment or other gift provided to a Town official or employee. When the value a gift or series of gifts 8 to a single official or employee exceeds twenty-five dollars ($25.00, the official or employee shall also be identified. (d) The registrations and reports filed pursuant to this Section shall be maintained by the Ethics Commission as public records available for public inspection and copying. Section 2-106. Exemption and Modifications The Ethics Commission may grant exemptions and modifications to the provisions of Sections 2-103 and 2-104 of this Article if it determines that application of those provisions would; (1) Constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy; (2) Significantly reduce the availability of qualified persons for public service; or (3) Not be required to preserve the purposes of this Chapter. Section 2-107. Enforcement (a) The Commission may issue a cease and desist order against any person found to be in violation of the provision of this Article and may seek enforcement of such order in the circuit Court of Prince George’s County. (b) Any Town official or employee who knowingly or willingly violates the provisions of this Article shall be subject to termination of employment and other appropriate disciplinary action, including suspension of Town salary or other compensation. Such official or employee shall also be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1, 000.00) or imprisonment of not more than (1) year, or both. s establishing reasonable standards and guidelines for the ethical conduct of public officers and employees of the Town. The provisions of such code shall also apply all candidates for the public office as well as publicly elected officials, appointed officials and the Town employees. Section 2-102. Ethics Commission There shall be a Town of Fairmont Heights Ethics Commission which shall be composed of three (3) members appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Council. The Commission shall be advised by the Town Attorney and shall be responsible for: (1) Devising, receiving, and maintaining all forms Generated by the Code of Ethics; (2) Providing published advisory opinions to persons Subject to the Code of Ethics describing the applicability of specific provisions of said Code to such persons; and (3) Processing and making determinations as to complaints filed by any person alleging violation of the Code of Ethics. Section 2-103. Conflicts of Interest (a)No Town official or employee who is subject to the Provisions of the Code of Ethics shall: (1)Participate on behalf of the Town in any matter which would to his knowledge, have a direct financial impact on him, his spouse or dependent child, or a business entity that with which either is affiliated; (2) Hold or acquire an interest of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) or greater in a business entity that has negotiated or is engaged in negotiating a contract with the Town of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) or more or otherwise have any direct financial interest in any commercial entity which is currently conducting business with the Town, except as exempted by the Commission where 6 the interest is disclosed pursuant to the provision of Section 2-104 of this Article; (3) Be employed by any business entity which has negotiated or is engaged in negotiating s contract of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) or more with the Town, or is conducting business with the Town except as exempted by the Commission pursuant to the provisions of Section 2-104; (4) Hold any outside employment relationship that would Impair his impartiality or independence of judgment; (5) Represent any party, for a contingency fee, before any Town body; (6) Act as compensated representative of another in connection with any specific matter in which he has Substantially participated as a Town official or employee Within one (1) year following termination of Town service by the same; (7) Use the prestige of his office for his own private gain or that of another; (8) Disclose or use for his own economic benefit or that of another party confidential information which he has acquired by reason of his public position and which is not available to the general public; or (9) Solicit a gift of any kind or knowingly accept any gift; directly or indirectly, from any person whom the official or employee knows pr has reason to know; a. Is doing or seeking to do business of any kind with his agency; b. Is engaged in activities which are regulated or controlled by his agency; c. Has financial interests which may be substantially and materially affected, in a manner distinguishable from the public generally, by the performance or nonperformance of his official duty. Section 2-104. Financial Disclosure (a) Each official holding an office set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section shall file under oath or affirmation with the Ethics Commission, on or before the thirty-first (31st) day of January of each year during that person’s term of office, a statement disclosing any gift having a value greater that 7 twenty-five dollars ($25.00) received during the preceding calendar year from any person having a contract or doing business in or with the Town. The statement shall identify the donor of the gift and its approximate retail value at the time of receipt. (b) Officials required to file include the Mayor, council members, department heads, and other administratively appointed officials. (c) All candidates for elective office shall file statements pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section at the same time that they file their certificate of candidacy. (d) Within a reasonable time prior to the taking of any proposed action in which an official subject to the provisions of this Article has a personal interest or financial interest, said official shall file with the Ethics Commission a statement disclosing such interest for which the holding thereof would require disqualification from participation by said official pursuant to Section 2-103 of this Article. (e) Disclosure statements filed pursuant to this Article shall be maintained by the Ethics Commission for not less than three (3) years as public records available for public inspection and copying. Section 2-105. Lobbying Disclosure (a) Any individual who appears in person before any official or employee with the intent to influence said official or employee in the performance of his official duties, and who, in connection with such intent expends or reasonably expects to expend in a given calendar year an amount in excess of one hundred dollars ($100.00) on food, entertainment or other gifts for such official or employee, shall file a registration statement with Ethics Commission on or before the fifteenth (15th) day of January of said calendar year or within five (5) days after first making such appearance. (b) The registration statement, aforesaid, shall include a complete identification of the registrant and of any other person on whose behalf the registrant acts. Such statement shall also indicate the subject matter on which the registrant proposes to make an appearance, and shall cover a defines period not to exceed one (1) calendar year. (c) Registrants under this Section shall file a report within thirty (30) days after the end of any calendar year during which they are registered, disclosing the value, date, and nature of any food, entertainment or other gift provided to a Town official or employee. When the value a gift or series of gifts 8 to a single official or employee exceeds twenty-five dollars ($25.00, the official or employee shall also be identified. (d) The registrations and reports filed pursuant to this Section shall be maintained by the Ethics Commission as public records available for public inspection and copying. Section 2-106. Exemption and Modifications The Ethics Commission may grant exemptions and modifications to the provisions of Sections 2-103 and 2-104 of this Article if it determines that application of those provisions would; (1) Constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy; (2) Significantly reduce the availability of qualified persons for public service; or (3) Not be required to preserve the purposes of this Chapter. Section 2-107. Enforcement (a) The Commission may issue a cease and desist order against any person found to be in violation of the provision of this Article and may seek enforcement of such order in the circuit Court of Prince George’s County. (b) Any Town official or employee who knowingly or willingly violates the provisions of this Article shall be subject to termination of employment and other appropriate disciplinary action, including suspension of Town salary or other compensation. Such official or employee shall also be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1, 000.00) or imprisonment of not more than (1) year, or both. s establishing reasonable standards and guidelines for the ethical conduct of public officers and employees of the Town. The provisions of such code shall also apply all candidates for the public office as well as publicly elected officials, appointed officials and the Town employees. Section 2-102. Ethics Commission There shall be a Town of Fairmont Heights Ethics Commission which shall be composed of three (3) members appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Council. The Commission shall be advised by the Town Attorney and shall be responsible for: (1) Devising, receiving, and maintaining all forms Generated by the Code of Ethics; (2) Providing published advisory opinions to persons Subject to the Code of Ethics describing the applicability of specific provisions of said Code to such persons; and (3) Processing and making determinations as to complaints filed by any person alleging violation of the Code of Ethics. Section 2-103. Conflicts of Interest (a)No Town official or employee who is subject to the Provisions of the Code of Ethics shall: (1)Participate on behalf of the Town in any matter which would to his knowledge, have a direct financial impact on him, his spouse or dependent child, or a business entity that with which either is affiliated; (2) Hold or acquire an interest of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) or greater in a business entity that has negotiated or is engaged in negotiating a contract with the Town of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) or more or otherwise have any direct financial interest in any commercial entity which is currently conducting business with the Town, except as exempted by the Commission where 6 the interest is disclosed pursuant to the provision of Section 2-104 of this Article; (3) Be employed by any business entity which has negotiated or is engaged in negotiating s contract of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) or more with the Town, or is conducting business with the Town except as exempted by the Commission pursuant to the provisions of Section 2-104; (4) Hold any outside employment relationship that would Impair his impartiality or independence of judgment; (5) Represent any party, for a contingency fee, before any Town body; (6) Act as compensated representative of another in connection with any specific matter in which he has Substantially participated as a Town official or employee Within one (1) year following termination of Town service by the same; (7) Use the prestige of his office for his own private gain or that of another; (8) Disclose or use for his own economic benefit or that of another party confidential information which he has acquired by reason of his public position and which is not available to the general public; or (9) Solicit a gift of any kind or knowingly accept any gift; directly or indirectly, from any person whom the official or employee knows pr has reason to know; a. Is doing or seeking to do business of any kind with his agency; b. Is engaged in activities which are regulated or controlled by his agency; c. Has financial interests which may be substantially and materially affected, in a manner distinguishable from the public generally, by the performance or nonperformance of his official duty. Section 2-104. Financial Disclosure (a) Each official holding an office set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section shall file under oath or affirmation with the Ethics Commission, on or before the thirty-first (31st) day of January of each year during that person’s term of office, a statement disclosing any gift having a value greater that 7 twenty-five dollars ($25.00) received during the preceding calendar year from any person having a contract or doing business in or with the Town. The statement shall identify the donor of the gift and its approximate retail value at the time of receipt. (b) Officials required to file include the Mayor, council members, department heads, and other administratively appointed officials. (c) All candidates for elective office shall file statements pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section at the same time that they file their certificate of candidacy. (d) Within a reasonable time prior to the taking of any proposed action in which an official subject to the provisions of this Article has a personal interest or financial interest, said official shall file with the Ethics Commission a statement disclosing such interest for which the holding thereof would require disqualification from participation by said official pursuant to Section 2-103 of this Article. (e) Disclosure statements filed pursuant to this Article shall be maintained by the Ethics Commission for not less than three (3) years as public records available for public inspection and copying. Section 2-105. Lobbying Disclosure (a) Any individual who appears in person before any official or employee with the intent to influence said official or employee in the performance of his official duties, and who, in connection with such intent expends or reasonably expects to expend in a given calendar year an amount in excess of one hundred dollars ($100.00) on food, entertainment or other gifts for such official or employee, shall file a registration statement with Ethics Commission on or before the fifteenth (15th) day of January of said calendar year or within five (5) days after first making such appearance. (b) The registration statement, aforesaid, shall include a complete identification of the registrant and of any other person on whose behalf the registrant acts. Such statement shall also indicate the subject matter on which the registrant proposes to make an appearance, and shall cover a defines period not to exceed one (1) calendar year. (c) Registrants under this Section shall file a report within thirty (30) days after the end of any calendar year during which they are registered, disclosing the value, date, and nature of any food, entertainment or other gift provided to a Town official or employee. When the value a gift or series of gifts 8 to a single official or employee exceeds twenty-five dollars ($25.00, the official or employee shall also be identified. (d) The registrations and reports filed pursuant to this Section shall be maintained by the Ethics Commission as public records available for public inspection and copying. Section 2-106. Exemption and Modifications The Ethics Commission may grant exemptions and modifications to the provisions of Sections 2-103 and 2-104 of this Article if it determines that application of those provisions would; (1) Constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy; (2) Significantly reduce the availability of qualified persons for public service; or (3) Not be required to preserve the purposes of this Chapter. Section 2-107. Enforcement (a) The Commission may issue a cease and desist order against any person found to be in violation of the provision of this Article and may seek enforcement of such order in the circuit Court of Prince George’s County. (b) Any Town official or employee who knowingly or willingly violates the provisions of this Article shall be subject to termination of employment and other appropriate disciplinary action, including suspension of Town salary or other compensation. Such official or employee shall also be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1, 000.00) or imprisonment of not more than (1) year, or both. s establishing reasonable standards and guidelines for the ethical conduct of public officers and employees of the Town. The provisions of such code shall also apply all candidates for the public office as well as publicly elected officials, appointed officials and the Town employees. Section 2-102. Ethics Commission There shall be a Town of Fairmont Heights Ethics Commission which shall be composed of three (3) members appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Council. The Commission shall be advised by the Town Attorney and shall be responsible for: (1) Devising, receiving, and maintaining all forms Generated by the Code of Ethics; (2) Providing published advisory opinions to persons Subject to the Code of Ethics describing the applicability of specific provisions of said Code to such persons; and (3) Processing and making determinations as to complaints filed by any person alleging violation of the Code of Ethics. Section 2-103. Conflicts of Interest (a)No Town official or employee who is subject to the Provisions of the Code of Ethics shall: (1)Participate on behalf of the Town in any matter which would to his knowledge, have a direct financial impact on him, his spouse or dependent child, or a business entity that with which either is affiliated; (2) Hold or acquire an interest of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) or greater in a business entity that has negotiated or is engaged in negotiating a contract with the Town of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) or more or otherwise have any direct financial interest in any commercial entity which is currently conducting business with the Town, except as exempted by the Commission where 6 the interest is disclosed pursuant to the provision of Section 2-104 of this Article; (3) Be employed by any business entity which has negotiated or is engaged in negotiating s contract of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) or more with the Town, or is conducting business with the Town except as exempted by the Commission pursuant to the provisions of Section 2-104; (4) Hold any outside employment relationship that would Impair his impartiality or independence of judgment; (5) Represent any party, for a contingency fee, before any Town body; (6) Act as compensated representative of another in connection with any specific matter in which he has Substantially participated as a Town official or employee Within one (1) year following termination of Town service by the same; (7) Use the prestige of his office for his own private gain or that of another; (8) Disclose or use for his own economic benefit or that of another party confidential information which he has acquired by reason of his public position and which is not available to the general public; or (9) Solicit a gift of any kind or knowingly accept any gift; directly or indirectly, from any person whom the official or employee knows pr has reason to know; a. Is doing or seeking to do business of any kind with his agency; b. Is engaged in activities which are regulated or controlled by his agency; c. Has financial interests which may be substantially and materially affected, in a manner distinguishable from the public generally, by the performance or nonperformance of his official duty. Section 2-104. Financial Disclosure (a) Each official holding an office set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section shall file under oath or affirmation with the Ethics Commission, on or before the thirty-first (31st) day of January of each year during that person’s term of office, a statement disclosing any gift having a value greater that 7 twenty-five dollars ($25.00) received during the preceding calendar year from any person having a contract or doing business in or with the Town. The statement shall identify the donor of the gift and its approximate retail value at the time of receipt. (b) Officials required to file include the Mayor, council members, department heads, and other administratively appointed officials. (c) All candidates for elective office shall file statements pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section at the same time that they file their certificate of candidacy. (d) Within a reasonable time prior to the taking of any proposed action in which an official subject to the provisions of this Article has a personal interest or financial interest, said official shall file with the Ethics Commission a statement disclosing such interest for which the holding thereof would require disqualification from participation by said official pursuant to Section 2-103 of this Article. (e) Disclosure statements filed pursuant to this Article shall be maintained by the Ethics Commission for not less than three (3) years as public records available for public inspection and copying. Section 2-105. Lobbying Disclosure (a) Any individual who appears in person before any official or employee with the intent to influence said official or employee in the performance of his official duties, and who, in connection with such intent expends or reasonably expects to expend in a given calendar year an amount in excess of one hundred dollars ($100.00) on food, entertainment or other gifts for such official or employee, shall file a registration statement with Ethics Commission on or before the fifteenth (15th) day of January of said calendar year or within five (5) days after first making such appearance. (b) The registration statement, aforesaid, shall include a complete identification of the registrant and of any other person on whose behalf the registrant acts. Such statement shall also indicate the subject matter on which the registrant proposes to make an appearance, and shall cover a defines period not to exceed one (1) calendar year. (c) Registrants under this Section shall file a report within thirty (30) days after the end of any calendar year during which they are registered, disclosing the value, date, and nature of any food, entertainment or other gift provided to a Town official or employee. When the value a gift or series of gifts 8 to a single official or employee exceeds twenty-five dollars ($25.00, the official or employee shall also be identified. (d) The registrations and reports filed pursuant to this Section shall be maintained by the Ethics Commission as public records available for public inspection and copying. Section 2-106. Exemption and Modifications The Ethics Commission may grant exemptions and modifications to the provisions of Sections 2-103 and 2-104 of this Article if it determines that application of those provisions would; (1) Constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy; (2) Significantly reduce the availability of qualified persons for public service; or (3) Not be required to preserve the purposes of this Chapter. Section 2-107. Enforcement (a) The Commission may issue a cease and desist order against any person found to be in violation of the provision of this Article and may seek enforcement of such order in the circuit Court of Prince George’s County. (b) Any Town official or employee who knowingly or willingly violates the provisions of this Article shall be subject to termination of employment and other appropriate disciplinary action, including suspension of Town salary or other compensation. Such official or employee shall also be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1, 000.00) or imprisonment of not more than (1) year, or both.