Julia Johnson: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17.710 for failure to accurately report business interest on their F-1 (EY25 MAY25)

Case

#172672

Respondent

Julia Johnson

Complainant

Glen Morgan

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) completed its review of the complaint filed by Glen Morgan
on May 21, 2025. The complaint alleged a violation of: RCW 42.17A.710 for failure to accurately
report business associations on the Financial Affairs Statement (F-1) for calendar year 2024.

Applicable Laws and Rules

RCW 42.17A.710 An elected or appointed official is required to file a Personal Financial Affairs
Statement (F-1 report) with the PDC on or before April 15ᵗʰ each year, that discloses accurate
personal financial information for themselves and their spouse or registered domestic partner, if
any, for the preceding calendar year.

Background and Findings

• Julia Johnson is the currently elected Mayor of the City of Sedro-Woolley. Her Financial Affairs
Statement (F-1) for January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, was submitted on March 11, 2025.
• Ms. Johnson's F-1 was filed timely and included information about herself as well as her spouse for
calendar year 2024.
• The 2024 F-1 included information about a business association Ms. Johnson reported on for a business
entity owned by her spouse, called Tight Lies LLC. Tight Lies LLC is a holding company that owns
real estate located in Sedro-Woolley.
• In response to the complaint, Ms. Johnson explained that she is not a co-owner of Tight Lies LLC, does
not participate in its decision-making and did not know to inquire about its government and
business customers.
• Tight Lies LLC received a grant in 2024 from the Sedro-Woolley Community Development Grant
Program for refurbishment costs associated with a building owned by Tight Lies LLC.
• The 2024 F-1 was missing information about the grant from the Sedro-Woolley Community
Development Grant Program, in the amount of $9,231, for the purpose of refurbishing a building
owned by Tight Lies LLC. Ms. Johnson amended her F-1 on July 21, 2025, following the publication of the
complaint.

• Guidance published on the PDC website at the time of your filing was unclear about whether
grants of all types are exempt from F-1 reporting.
• Ms. Johnson does not have previous warnings or violations of PDC requirements.

Summary and Resolution

Per RCW 42.17A.710(g)(i), (i) with respect to a governmental unit in which the official seeks or
holds any office or position, if the entity has received compensation in any form during the
preceding twelve months from the governmental unit, the value of the compensation and the
consideration given or performed in exchange for the compensation must be reported.

PDC staff has reminded Ms. Johnson you about the importance of timely and accurate disclosure of required
information specific to the Business Associations you report on the F-1. Based on this information, the PDC has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

May 23, 2025

Areas of Law*

RCW 29B.55.030/42.17A.710

*On January 1, 2026, RCW 42.17A was recodified to RCW 29B