Snohomish County Young Democrats: Alleged Violation of RCW 42.17A.235 for failure to accurately and timely file C-3 and C-4 reports. (March 2018)

Case

#33378

Respondent

Louis Harris

Complainant

Glen Morgan

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed by Glen Morgan on March 28, 2018. The complaint alleged that the Snohomish County Young Democrats may have violated RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failing to timely and accurately file Monetary Contribution reports (C-3 reports) and Summary Full Campaign Contribution and Expenditure reports (C-4 reports). PDC staff reviewed the allegations listed in the complaint to determine whether a formal investigation or enforcement action is warranted. Staff reviewed the exhibit submitted with the complaint, the C-3 and C-4 reports filed by the Snohomish County Young Democrats (Committee), and the July 31, 2018 response letter received from the committee.

The C-4 reports disclosed the Committee received $1,197 in total contributions received and expenditures totaling $323. The December 2017 C-4 report filed by the Committee was marked as the “Final” report. While the Snohomish County Young Democrats failed to timely file a few C-3 and C-4 report for the portion of calendar year 2017 they were under the Full Reporting Option, the Committee had very minimal contribution and expenditure activities to disclose. But for the $655 monetary contribution received from the Snohomish County Democrat’s on September 12, 2017, the Committee would have remained under the Mini Reporting Option.

However, pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(b), the Snohomish County Young Democrats will receive a formal written warning concerning its failure to timely file C-3 and C-4 reports disclosing contribution and expenditure activities under the Full Reporting Option in 2017. The formal written warning conveys our expectation that the Snohomish County Young Democrats will fully comply with the reporting requirements to timely file contribution and expenditure reports in the future, if the committee remains active and is registered under the Full Reporting Option. The Commission will consider this formal written warning if there are any PDC law or rule violations by the Snohomish County Young Democrats in the future.

Based on these findings, the PDC has dismissed your complaint in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1)(a).

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

March 29, 2018

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235