Asotin County Democrats: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.235 for failure to report contributions and expenditures in 2017, and RCW 42.17A.205 for failure to update committee registration within 10 days of material changes (EY 17; Nov 17)

Case

#27163

Respondent

Asotin County Democrats

Complainant

Glen Morgan

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed by Glen Morgan on November 1, 2017. The complaint alleged that the Asotin County Democratic Central Committee, a bona fide political party, may have violated RCW 42.17A.235 for failure to timely and accurately file Monetary Contribution reports (C-3 reports) and Summary Full Campaign Contribution and Expenditure reports (C-4 reports), disclosing contributions and expenditures undertaken by the Campaign during election year 2017; and RCW 42.17A.205 and WAC 390-16-05 for failure to file Political Committee Registration reports (C-1pc reports) not later than January 31 of each calendar year, to re-certify for mini-reporting in calendar years 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the applicable PDC reports filed by Respondent; and queried the Respondent’s data in the PDC contribution and expenditure database, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.

Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, failure to timely file the C-1pc recertifying for Mini Reporting, or to file C-3 and C-4 reports in accordance with Full Reporting, do not amount to actual violations warranting further investigation.

Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(b), the Asotin County Democratic Central Committee will receive a formal written warning concerning their failure to timely disclose all contribution and expenditures, or to recertify for Mini Reporting by January 31 of each calendar year. The formal written warning will include staff’s expectation that the Asotin County Democratic Central Committee timely files a new C-1pc each year if they wish to retain the use of Mini Reporting, or that they timely file all future required reports of contributions and expenditures under Full Reporting. 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

November 06, 2017

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.205, RCW 42.17A.235

Documents

• 27163 Asotin Co Democrats Complaint.pdf
• 27163 Asotin Co Democrats Warning Letter.pdf