Maclay, Michael: Alleged Violation of RCW 42.17A.335, 205 for using false information to defame a candidate and for not filing a Candidate Registration report after announcing a campaign for public office. (EY 2018, MAR 2018)

Case

#32827

Respondent

Michael Scott Maclay

Complainant

Ozzie Knezovich

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed by Ozzie Knezovich on January 17, 2018. The complaint alleged that Michael Scott Maclay (Respondent), a 2018 candidate for Spokane Valley Sheriff, registered with the PDC and appearing on the ballot as “Dumpozzie Dot Com”, may have violated RCW 42.17A.335 for sponsoring with actual malice, false and defamatory or libelous statements of material fact in political advertising, and for falsely implying endorsement in support of Dumpozzie Dot Com in political advertising; and RCW 42.17A.205 for failure to timely and accurately file a Candidate Registration (C-1 report)

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.

Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, failure to indicate the individual behind Dumpozzie Dot Com on the C-1 and F-1 reports, does not amount to a violation that warrants further investigation.

PDC staff is reminding Michael Scott Maclay about the importance of the complete and accurate disclosure of the name of the individual candidate running for office, rather than the website or committee name that they sponsor. PDC staff expects that Michael Scott Maclay will file future reports under the name of the individual running for office, rather than a pseudonym.

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 Reminder

Date Opened

March 16, 2018

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.205, RCW 42.17A.335

Documents

• 32827 Maclay Michael Reminder Letter.pdf
• 32827 Maclay Michael Response.pdf
• 32827 Maclay Michael Complaint With Attachments.pdf