9th Legislative District Democrats: Alleged Violation of RCW 42.17A.205, .235 for failure to timely and accurately file contributions, expenditures, and committee registration. (NOV 17)

Case

#28109

Respondent

Christoper Van Drimmelen

Complainant

Glen Morgan

Description

On November 23, 2017, the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) received a complaint alleging that the 9th Legislative District Democrats (Committee) may have violated RCW 42.17A.235 by failing to timely and accurately report contributions (C-3) and expenditures (C-4) reports and RCW 42.17A.205 by failing to file an accurate campaign registration (C-1pc) report with required amendments. 

PDC staff reviewed the allegations: the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the July 20, 2018 response from the Committee, by way of the previous treasurer, Christopher Van Drimmelen, and the PDC reports filed by the Committee, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations. 

Staff found that the Committee did not file any contribution or expenditure reports in 2016 due to inactivity. Regarding the allegation related to the Campaign Registration report, staff found no evidence provided to substantiate the allegation that changes to the Committee officers occurred that would require amending the Committee's C-1pc in 2016.  

Based on these findings, staff determined that the Committee was not required to amend its C-1pc to report changes in its officers, and even if the Committee was deemed to be under the full reporting option during 2016 because it failed to file a C-1pc selecting the mini-reporting option, the Committee was not required to file C-3 and C-4 reports during 2016 election year because of its inactivity.

Staff reminded the Committee officers about the importance of filing timely and accurate Committee Registration (C-1pc) in future years, including the requirement in WAC 390-16-115(4) for filers under the Mini-Reporting Option to "file a new C-1pc between January 1st and January 31st for each year in which the committee intends to use the mini reporting system."

Accordingly, the staff dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1). 

Disposition

Case Closed with No Evidence of Violations

Date Opened

December 05, 2017

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.205, RCW 42.17A.235

Documents

• 28109 9th Legislative District Democrats Response.pdf
• 9th District Democrats Complaint .pdf
• 28109 9th Legislative District Democrats Complaint Return Letter .pdf