Kuderer, Patrica: Alleged Violation of RCW 42.17A.235, .240, .205, .265, .425, .220, .430 for failure to accurately, timely, or properly report contributions, expenditures, debt, committee officers, personal finances, and surplus funds. (DEC 17)

Case

#28824

Respondent

Patricia Kuderer

Complainant

Glen Morgan

Description

On December 13, 2017, the Public Disclosure Commission received a complaint alleging that Patricia Kuderer (respondent), a State Senator for the 48th Legislative District, may have violated RCW 42.17A.235 for failure to timely and accurately file C-3 and C-4 reports, including the failure to properly report the purpose of expenditures, as required by WAC 390-16-037 and WAC 390-16-205, and RCW 42.17A.240 for failure to timely and accurately report debt; RCW 42.17A.205 for failure to update the candidate registration report (C-1), and RCW 42.17A.265 by failing to report last minute contributions.

PDC staff reviewed the complaint and determined that there were expenditures made by the respondent either to a vendor or consultant for which a more detailed explanation or description should have been provided. Staff further noted that (1) Some of the alleged unreported debts should have been reported on the reports covering the reporting periods immediately before the debts were paid; and (2) Six reports were filed between one and 30 days late. Although there were a few late reports and expenditures, including debts that were not reported accurately, the respondent showed a good faith effort by amending her reports to disclose additional information in the interest of transparency.

Based on these findings staff determined that the failure to timely report six reports between one and 30 days late, including expenditures for debt, and the failure to properly report the purpose of expenditures does not amount to a violation warranting further investigation.

However, staff reminded the respondent about the importance of filing timely and accurate C-3 and C-4 reports disclosing contribution and expenditure activities undertaken by the respondent's campaign in the future.

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

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

January 02, 2018

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.205, RCW 42.17A.220, RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240, RCW 42.17A.265, RCW 42.17A.320, RCW 42.17A.430, RCW 42.17A.700