Washington State Council of County and City Employees (WSCCCE): Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.235, .240 for failure to timely and accurately report in-kind contributions, and timely report contributions and expenditures, for 2014-2019. (May 19)

Case

#51086

Respondent

Washington State Council of County and City Employees

Complainant

Freedom Foundation (Maxford Nelsen)

Description

A complaint was filed against the Washington State Council of County and City Employees PAC (Committee), a continuing political committee registered with the PDC, alleging violations of RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 by failing to timely file Campaign Full Summary Contributions and Expenditures reports (C-4 reports) disclosing contribution and expenditure activities, including staff time and the overhead costs to operate and maintain the committee for calendar years 2014 through 2018.

PDC staff's review found the Committee failed to timely report $3,843.78 for in-kind contributions received from Washington State Council of County and City Employees (WSCCE) for calendar years 2014 through 2018, and that information was not disclosed until July 23, 2019, when the amended C-4 reports were filed.

However, based on staff's findings and the information listed below, PDC staff has determined that the facts in this instance do not amount to a finding of a violation warranting further investigation. Staff considered several mitigating factors that included: (1) the $3,843.78 in late disclosed in-kind contributions received by the Committee from WSCCE for staffing and overhead costs of running the PAC was not material in amount and had no impact on the public; (2) the Committee timely disclosed the majority of the C-3 and C-4 reports for calendar years 2014 through 2018; and (3) neither the WSCCE nor the Committee has any prior PDC violations.

Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), PDC staff formally warned the Committee concerning the importance of timely and accurately filing C-3 and C-4 reports disclosing contribution and expenditure activities undertaken by a continuing political committee, in accordance with PDC laws, rules and reporting requirements. This formal written warning conveys staff’s expectation that the Committee will fully comply with the reporting requirements for a continuing political committee in the future, including the timely disclosure of the WSCCE staffing and overhead costs of running the PAC. The Commission will consider this formal written warning if there are any future PDC law or rule violations by Committee.

Based on this information, PDC staff is dismissing the remaining allegations in this matter against the Washington State Council of County and City Employees PAC in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

May 10, 2019

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240