Millman, Mike: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.710 for failure to reports gifts. (CY22, Nov23)

Case

#144956

Respondent

Mike Millman

Complainant

Alexander Campbell

Description

  • Allegation: Violation of RCW 42.17A.710 for failure to reports gifts

The PDC has 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.  

However, pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), this letter serves as a formal warning to Mayor Millman for his failure to timely report the receipt of a gift from Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine Estates during 2022 to Mayor Mike and Michelle Millman, valued at $150, on his Personal Financial Affairs Statement covering 2022 activity. Staff expects Mayor Millman to timely report all reportable gifts on his annual Personal Financial Affairs Statement in future years. The Commission will consider this formal written warning in deciding on further Commission action if there are future violations of PDC laws or rules.

Staff found the following:

  • The City of Woodinville operates under a Council-Manager system of government. Seven equal Councilmembers serve as the legislative body that hires a professional City Manager to handle day-to-day operations. One councilmember serves as mayor. Mike Millman has served on the Woodinville City Council since 2021 and has served as Mayor since 2022. Mayor Millman’s spouse is Michelle Millman, who in 2022 was a news anchor for television station KIRO 7 in Seattle.
  • The complaint alleged that Mayor Millman may have failed to report on his annual Personal Financial Affairs Statement covering 2022 activity the value of access to concert tickets for the September 3, 2022 concert by the band Chicago, sponsored by Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, and the value of admission to the VIP pre-concert reception.
  • Based on documentation in the complaint the value of attending the VIP pre-concert reception was $75 per person.
  • On April 25, 2022, Cara Connor, Community Relations Manager for Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in 2022, indicated to Mayor Millman that tickets to the Chicago concert were sold out but additional general admission tickets were available for purchase for those attending the pre-concert VIP Reception. 
  • On May 19, 2022, Mayor Millman purchased two general admission tickets to the concert for $144.24. On August 24, 2022, Ms. Connor sent Mayor Mike and Michelle Millman a letter confirming their attendance for the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates Concert Reception. No value for the Concert Reception was indicted in the confirmation letter.
  • Mayor Millman stated that his spouse was the recipient of the VIP Concert Reception through Cara Connor. Mayor Millman stated he was under the impression that the price he paid for two concert tickets included the VIP Concert Reception and did not understand that the value of the reception was a separate matter. Mayor Millman has amended his F-1 report for 2022 activity to include a gift to his spouse valued at $150.
  • Ms. Connor confirmed that Chateau Ste. Michelle consistently hosts Media Guests at the pre-concert receptions each year and that Michelle Millman was invited in 2022 as a representative of the media in her role as News Anchor with KIRO 7 in Seattle.

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

November 13, 2023

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.710

Documents

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