Leon Aaron Lawson: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failure to timely and accurately file C-4 reports for election year 2024. (EY24 JUN24)

Case

#155613

Respondent

Leon A. Lawson

Complainant

Conner Edwards

Description

Pursuant to the brief enforcement hearing (brief adjudicative proceeding) notice sent to Leon A. Lawson on September 20, 2024, a brief adjudicative proceeding was held remotely on October 3, 2024, to consider whether the Respondent violated RCW 42.17A.235 and RCW 42.17A.240 by failing to timely and accurately file Receipts and Expenditure Summary (C-4) reports as a candidate for the 2024 election.  The specific missing reports include the May 2024 C-4 due June 10, 2024, the 21-day C-4 due July 16, 2024, the 7-day pre-primary C-4 due July 30, 2024, and the post-primary C-4 due September 10, 2024.

The hearing was held in accordance with Chapters 34.05 RCW, 42.17A RCW and Chapter 390-37 WAC.  Commission Chair Allen Hayward was the Presiding Officer.  The Commission staff was represented by Jordan Campbell, Compliance Coordinator, and Tanya Mercier, Compliance Officer.  The Respondent did not participate in the hearing or submit any written materials.

Having considered the evidence, the Presiding Officer finds as follows:

FINDINGS OF FACT

1. The Respondent is a candidate for office of Governor for Washington State.
2. As a candidate for election, the Respondent was required to file Receipts and Expenditure Summary (C-4) reports, disclosing contributions and expenditures for May 2024, the 21-day and 7-day pre-primary period, and the post-primary period.  The May 2024 C-4 was due June 10, 2024, the 21-day C-4 was due July 16, 2024, the 7-day pre-primary C-4 was due July 30, 2024, and the post-primary C-4 was due September 10, 2024.
3. The Respondent did not file the missing Receipts and Expenditure Summary (C-4) reports, disclosing contributions and expenditures for May 2024, the 21-day and 7-day pre-primary period, and the post-primary period by the date of the brief adjudicative proceeding.   
4. The Respondent has no prior similar violations.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

Based on the above facts, as a matter of law, the Presiding Officer concludes as follows:

1. This matter was duly and properly convened, and all jurisdictional, substantive, and procedural requirements have been satisfied.

2. The Respondent violated RCW42.17A.235 and RCW 42.17A.240 by failing to file timely Receipts and Expenditure Summary (C-4) reports.
ORDER

ON the basis of the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Respondent shall file the missing C-4 reports within 30 days of the date of this Order and is assessed a civil penalty of $600, in accordance with the C-4 penalty schedule set forth in WAC 390-37-143. 
It is further ordered that $300 of the $600 penalty is suspended on the following conditions:
1. The Respondent pays the $300 civil penalty within 30 days of the date of this Order.
2. The Respondent files the missing C-4 reports within 30 days of the date of this Order.
3. The Respondent does not commit any further violations of Chapter 42.17A RCW or Title 390 WAC for a period of 4 years from the date of this Order.
It is further ordered that, if the Respondent fails to comply with any of the above conditions:
1. The full $600 penalty shall become due immediately without further action by the Commission and PDC Staff is directed to refer the matter to collections and/or commence other legal proceedings as authorized by RCW 42.17A and 390 WAC.
This is an Initial Order of the Public Disclosure Commission.  

Entered this 7th day of October 2024.
 

Disposition

Violation Found by Commission

Date Opened

June 21, 2024

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

Penalties

Total penalties: $600

Balance Due: $300

Leon A. Lawson

Penalty
$600 (In accordance with C-4 penalty schedule set forth in WAC 390-37-143)
Suspended
$300 (Respondent must pay $300 w/in 30-days of Order; and, Respondent must file the missing C-4 rpts. w/in 30-day of Order;and, Respondent does not commit any further violations of Chapter 42.17A RCW or Title 390 WAC for a period of 4 years from the date of the Order.)

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