Wadhams, Jessica: Alleged Violations of RCW 42.17A.235 & 240 & .430 for failure to accurately report expenditures and making a contribution to a bona fide political party (EY '21; Aug '23)

Case

#141109

Respondent

Jessica Wadhams

Complainant

Glen Morgan

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed on August 3, 2023. The complaint alleged that Jessica Wadhams, a candidate for Lake Stevens City Council in the 2021 election, may have violated: (1) RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failure to timely and accurately file Summary Full Campaign Contribution and Expenditure reports (C-4 reports), disclosing expenditures undertaken by the Campaign; and (2) RCW 42.17A.430 for improper transfer of funds to a bona fide political party committee.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the response provided by the Respondent; the applicable PDC reports filed by the Respondent; queried the Respondent’s data in the PDC contribution and expenditure database; and other relevant information, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.

Jessica Wadhams was a first-time candidate and lost in the 2021 election. It appears that the missing filing fee, the lack of detailed expenditure descriptions, and mistaken categorical label used for VoteBuilder services purchased from the Washington State Democrats, we due to minor errors and a general lack of knowledge about campaign finance reporting. No evidence was found that the late reporting was done to intentionally conceal campaign activity from the public.

Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, failure to timely and accurately submit C-4 reports disclosing the required expenditure detail, and failure to report the candidate filing fee, do not amount to a finding of a violation that warrants further investigation.

Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), however, Jessica Wadhams will receive a formal written warning concerning failure to timely and accurately disclose expenditures made by the 2021 Wadhams Campaign and failure to timely disclose the candidate filing fee. The formal written warning will include staff’s expectation that Ms. Wadhams timely and accurately files all future required reports of contributions and expenditures. The Commission will consider the formal written warning in deciding on further Commission action if there are future violations of PDC laws or rules.

Based on this information, the PDC finds that no further action is warranted and has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

August 15, 2023

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240, RCW 42.17A.430

Documents

• 141109 Wadhams Jessica Complaint.pdf
• 141109 Wadhams Jessica Warning - Respondent.pdf
• 141109 Wadhams Jessica Response.pdf