Skamania County Democrats: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.235 and ,240 for failure to timely and accurately disclose contribution and expenditures (SEPT'23, EY'20-EY’23)

Case

#142409

Respondent

Skamania County Democrats

Complainant

Glen Morgan

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed on September 8, 2023. The complaint alleged that Skamania County Democrats, a bona fide county party committee, may have violated: (1) RCW 42.17A.235 & .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 contributions and expenditures undertaken by the Campaign; and (2) RCW 42.17A.235 & .240 for failure to disclose an accurate carry forward balance.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the response provided by Treasurer Grace D. Cross on behalf of 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.

It appears that although the Skamania County Democrats did submit a small number of campaign reports late ranging from calendar year 2020 forward, many of the expenses were for party building activities, and items not related to any candidate elections. Staff noted that the carry forward balance discrepancies have been addressed.

Staff found no evidence that the Skamania County Democrats purposely filed late or inaccurate campaign reports in order to conceal its activities from the public or adversely affect the outcome of previous elections.

Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, failure to timely and accurately file campaign reports dating back from calendar year 2018 forward, including details of in-kind contribution activities, does not amount to a finding of a violation that warrants further investigation.

Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), however, the Respondent will receive a formal written warning concerning failure to timely disclosure of all contributions and expenditures. The formal written warning will include staff’s expectation that Skamania County Democrats to timely and accurately file all required reports of contributions and expenditures including accurate carry forward balances on C-4 reports in future years. 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 18, 2023

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

• 142409 Skamania County Democrats Complaint.pdf
• 142409 Skamania County Democrats Response.pdf
• 142409 Skamania County Democrats Warning - Respondent.pdf