- Home
- Rules & Enforcement
- Enforcement
- Enforcement Cases
- Marc Doney: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to provide complete sponsor identification on political advertising (EY24, JUN24)
Marc Doney: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to provide complete sponsor identification on political advertising (EY24, JUN24)
Case
#155793
Respondent
Marc Doney
Complainant
Phillip Wells
Description
The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed on June 12, 2024. The complaint alleged that Marc Doney, a 2024 candidate for Okanogan County Commissioner, District 1, may have violated RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to include complete sponsor ID on written political advertisement.
PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the response provided by the Respondent; the applicable PDC reports filed by the Respondent; and other relevant information, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.
It appears that the incomplete sponsor identification originally included on the 2024 Marc Doney Campaign signs was due to an oversight and not purposely omitted to conceal the identity of the sponsor of the ad. Staff found that, although the signs initially failed to include the required address of the sponsor, the identity of the sponsor as the Respondent’s committee was clear to the reader.
Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, failure to include a complete sponsor identification on written political advertisement does not amount to a finding of a violation that warrants further investigation.
Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), however, Marc Doney will receive a formal written warning concerning failure to include a complete sponsor identification on written political advertisement. The formal written warning will include staff’s expectation that Mr. Doney will review all future written political advertisement to ensure that it includes the required sponsor identification prior to being made available to the general public. 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
June 26, 2024
Areas of Law
RCW 42.17A.320
Documents
Subscribe for updates
To subscribe to this case, enter your email address in the form below and click "Send confirmation link" button. You will be sent a secure link via email that will confirm your subscription.
An email containing a link to confirm your subscription to this case has been sent to {{ email }}.
If you do not receive an email within a few minutes, please check your junk mail or mail filters.
{{statusMessage}}