LEWIS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.235 & .240 for failure to timely file expenditure reports. (EY24 OCT24)

Case

#163261

Respondent

LEWIS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE - NON EXEMPT

Complainant

Conner Edwards

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) completed its review of the complaint filed by Conner Edwards on October 30, 2024. The complaints alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.235 & .240 for failure to timely and accurately file expenditure reports.

Applicable Laws & Rules

• RCW 42.17A.235 describes the required filing deadlines for disclosure of campaign finance activities including monetary contributions.
• RCW 42.17A.240 describes the required contents of campaign finance reports filed with the Public Disclosure Commission. 

Background & Findings 

• Lewis County Democratic Central Committee is a bonafide political action committee participating in the 2024 election under the Full Reporting option.
• The complaint alleges failure to timely file the 21-day pre-general C-4 (expenditure) Report by the committee’s non-exempt account. 
• The Respondent was previously issued a reminder in PDC case 160311 regarding expedited reporting for the 2024 primary election.
• The Respondent was filing on a monthly reporting schedule. Once notified of the complaint, the Respondent was instructed how to update their filing account to reflect the required C-4 (expenditure) schedule. 
• On March 6, 2025, Zac Eckstein, on behalf of the Respondent, signed a Statement of Understanding acknowledging violations of RCW 42.17A.235 and RCW 42.17A.240 for failing to file timely C-4 (expenditure) Reports during the 2024 election year.

Summary and Resolution

The committee completed a Statement of Understanding (SOU) in accordance with WAC 390-37-143 (Brief Enforcement Penalty Schedule), acknowledging violations of RCW 42.17A.235 and RCW 42.17A.240 for failing to file timely C-4 (expenditure) Reports during the 2024 election year. The completed Statement of Understanding resolves the allegations listed in this case.  

Any allegations regarding reporting for the 2024 campaign that are not otherwise addressed are also hereby dismissed.    

You are required to comply with all PDC requirements in the future. Failure to do so could lead to further enforcement action.    

Based on this information, the PDC has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).

Disposition

Resolved through Statement of Understanding (SOU)

Date Opened

December 05, 2024

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

• 163261 LEWIS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE Statement of Understanding (SOU).pdf
• 163261 Lewis County Democratic Committee Resolution Letter.pdf
• 163261 Lewis County Democratic Central Committee Complaint.pdf