Wollum, Lisa: Alleged violations of: (1) RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 by failing to file C-3 and C-4 reports as required under the Full Reporting option; and (2) RCW 42.17A.320 by failing to include required sponsor identification. (EY'21, Nov'21)

Case

#101064

Respondent

Lisa Wollum

Complainant

Louie Van Hollebeke

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed on November 19, 2021. The complaint alleged that Lisa Wollum, a 2021 candidate for Fire Commissioner in King County Fire Protection District 16 may have violated: (1) RCW 42.17A.235 & .240 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; and (2) RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to include the required sponsor identification on political advertisement sponsored by the Campaign. 

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the responses provided by the Respondent; the applicable PDC reports filed by the 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.

The Respondent was a first-time candidate in the 2021 election, served as her own treasurer and the only officer of her Campaign. Upon receipt of the November 19, 2021, complaint, Ms. Wollum worked with PDC Filer Assistance staff to file C-3 and C-4 reports and amend as necessary to accurately disclose all campaign activity. It appears that the late reporting of the C-3 and C-4 reports and the exclusion of a full sponsor ID specifically including an address, was due to the limited experience of the Respondent and not done intentionally to mislead the public.

Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(f), the PDC received a completed Statement of Understanding (SOU) on March 3, 2022, from Lisa Wollum acknowledging a violation of RCW 42.17A.235 for failure to timely file C-3 and C-4 reports. Ms. Wollum paid a $300 total ($150 for late filed C-3 reports and $150 for late C-4 reports) civil penalty in accordance with WAC 390-37-143 (Brief Enforcement Penalty Schedule), which resolves the issue. 

Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, failure to include the 2021 Wollum Campaign address in the sponsor ID on written political advertisement, does not amount to a finding of a violation that warrants further investigation. Pursuant to WAC 390-37-070, PDC staff is dismissing the remaining allegations and reminding Lisa Wollum about the importance of the inclusion of the complete sponsor identification on all written political advertisement in the future in accordance with PDC statutes and 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

Resolved through Statement of Understanding

Date Opened

November 24, 2021

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

Penalties

Total penalties: $300

Balance Due: $0

Lisa Wollum

Penalty
$300 (SOU)
Payments
$300 on 02/17/2022 (PAID)

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