Washington Education Association PAC(3) : Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.235, and .240 for failing to timely and accurately reporting expenditures (OCT'23, EY'23)

Case

#144263

Respondent

WEA-PAC

Complainant

Glen Morgan

Description

Allegation: Violation of RCW 42.17A.235, and .240 for failing to timely and accurately reporting expenditures.

The PDC dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1) and will not be conducting a more formal investigation into these allegations or taking further enforcement action in this matter.

This matter has been dismissed because WEA-PAC completed a Statement of Understanding (SOU) and paid a $150 civil penalty in accordance with WAC 390-37-143 (Brief Enforcement Penalty Schedule), acknowledging a violation of RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failing to report a debt or obligation of more than $1,000 on its 2023, 21-day pre-general election C-4 report. The $150 penalty assessed resolves the allegations listed in the complaint.

PDC staff found the following:

In August 2023, the law firm of Barnard Iglitzin & Lavitt performed legal services on behalf of Washington Education Association Political Action Committee (WEA-PAC) concerning a complaint filed with the Public Disclosure Commission.
The law firm billed WEA-PAC for these services during the first week of September 2023.
As of October 16, 2023, WEA-PAC had not paid for legal services it received in August or September or received an in-kind contribution for payment of the legal services.
WEA-PAC timely filed its 21-day pre-general election C-4 report of contributions and expenditures, covering the period September 1, 2023 – October 16, 2023, on October 17, 2023. The C-4 report disclosed no debts or obligations.
On October 18, 2023, the Washington Education Association, the entity that formed WEA-PAC and funds a majority of the PAC’s activities through in-kind contributions, agreed to pay Barnard Iglitzin & Lavitt $5,583.80 for WEA-PAC’s August and September legal services. WEA-PAC reported receipt of the in-kind contribution on its 7-day pre-general election C-4 report covering the period October 17, 2023 – October 31, 2023.

Disposition

Resolved through Statement of Understanding

Date Opened

October 30, 2023

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

Penalties

Total penalties: $150

Balance Due: $0

Washington Education Association PAC

Penalty

$150 (Statement of Understanding)

Payments

$150 on 02/07/2024 (PAID - SOU)