Is state Rep. Erik Fresen of Miami a scofflaw? Fresen is facing tough questions over his refusal to pay an old fine from the Florida Ethics Commission. The commission fined Fresen $1,500 in 2003 because he failed to file the required financial disclosure form when he was a legislative aide. Fresen, who was elected to the Florida House in 2008, contends he didn't know about the fine until 2012. By that time the statute of limitations had run out and the fine was unenforceable, so Fresen decided not to pay it. Today the Florida Commission on Ethics approved a settlement with Rep. Fresen in which he admits he made some errors on his financial disclosure forms between the years 2008 and 2011. But the commission sent the case to the Florida House for further consideration. Now the House Rules Committee will decide whether Fresen should face some sort of punishment for filing incomplete disclosure forms and failing to pay the old $1,500 fine. Some members of the Ethics Commission said they were irked by Fresen's decision not to pay the ethics fine and said while it may not be enforceable any longer, it remains an outstanding debt and should be reflected on future disclosure forms. Fresen's attorney, JC Planas, disagrees, saying once the statute of limitations is up, the fine is no longer a debt. This video includes comments from Ethics Commission members Matthew Carlucci, Linda Robison and Fresen's attorney JC Planas. Runs 5:24.

• published: 24 Jan 2014
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