Smith, Jamie (2): Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.235 & .240, & WAC 390-16-037 for failure to timely and accurately disclose contribution and expenditure information (AUG'23, EY'18-EY'22)

Case

#141807

Respondent

Jamie Smith

Complainant

Glen Morgan

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed on August 26, 2023. The complaint alleged that Jamie Smith, a candidate for State Representative, Legislative District 25 during the 2018, 2020 and 2022 elections may have violated RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failure to timely and accurately file Monetary Contribution reports (C-3 reports) and Summary Full Campaign Contribution and Expenditure reports (C-4 reports), disclosing expenditures undertaken by the Campaign, including an inaccurate carry forward balance, and for failure to include detailed descriptions for expenditures made.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; 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.

Jamie Smith was a first-time candidate in 2018 and lost in the 2018, 2020 and 2022 elections. It appears that the late reporting, the lack of detailed expenditure descriptions, and error made in the carry forward balance, were due to oversight 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. Staff noted that the Respondent submitted corrected reports for 2018 and that most of the activity is now outside of the statute of limitations for enforcement action.

Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, failure to timely and accurately submit C-3 and C-4 reports, failure to disclose the required expenditure detail, and failure to timely report an accurate carry forward balance, do not amount to a finding of a violation that warrants further investigation.

Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), however, Jamie Smith will receive a formal written warning concerning failure to timely and accurately disclose contributions and expenditures made by the 2018, 2020 and 2022 Smith Campaigns, and failure to include detailed descriptions for expenditures. The formal written warning will include staff’s expectation that Ms. Smith 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

September 05, 2023

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240, WAC 390-16-037