Sinclair Broadcasting Group: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.345 for failure to timely provide complete commercial advertiser books of account upon request. (EY25 MAY25)

Case

#176889

Respondent

Sinclair Broadcasting Group

Complainant

Conner Edwards

Description

  • Sinclair Broadcasting Group (“the Respondent”) is a commercial advertiser that is listed in PDC expenditure records as providing political advertising services. 
  • The complainant stated they emailed the Respondent on April 22, 2025, requesting to view the Respondent’s commercial advertising books of account. 
  • Jennifer Lopez, Director of Sales and Marketing, provided the complainant with some of the documents on April 25, 2025. She supplemented that initial production with additional files on April 29, 2025, and May 2, 2025.
  • On July 29, 2025, Lopez emailed the complainant again to explain that the company’s archival system had not been configured to retain copies of the actual political advertising Sinclair had provided campaigns for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. She stated that Sinclair was amending its retention period to match the five-year period required by RCW 42.17A.345.

Summary and Resolution

It appears that, prior to the complaint, you were not fully aware of what records needed to be kept for public inspection. You did respond to the complainant’s request with the available information, with the exception of copies of the political advertising for earlier years. 

Based on our findings, staff has determined that, in this instance, any violation that may have occurred was minor. After consideration of the circumstances, further proceedings would not serve the purposes of this chapter. Under WAC 390-37-060, the executive director, at any time prior to consideration by the commission, may dismiss a complaint which on its face, or as shown by investigation, provides reason to believe that a violation has occurred, but also shows that the respondent is in substantial compliance with the relevant statutes or rules, or shows that formal enforcement action is not warranted.

PDC staff is reminding you about the importance of the requirements under RCW 42.17A.345 and WAC 390-18-050. Staff expects that you will implement and maintain the process you described to identify political advertising and retain required records.  

 

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

August 01, 2025

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.345

Documents

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