Jensen, Marlyn: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.405(2) for making over-limit contribution to Candidate Boss campaign via Working Families of King County & Truth for Washington (EY 18; Jul 18)

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the three complaints filed by Joe Yates on August 10, 2018, against two political committees, Truth for Washington (PDC Case 39125), and Working Families of King County (PDC Case 39123), and Marlyn Jensen (PDC Case 39122) an individual. 

The complaints alleged that: (1) Truth for Washington (TFW), and Working Families of King County (WFKC) may have violated RCW 42.17A.270 by receiving and spending earmarked contributions from Marylyn Jensen designated to benefit Randy Boss, a 2018 candidate for State Representative in the 26th Legislative District; and (2) Marlyn Jensen may have violated RCW 42.17A.405(2) by exceeding the contribution limits to Randy Boss by earmarking contributions through TFW and WFKC for independent expenditures made in opposition of Michelle Caldier, Randy Boss’s opponent. 

For your information, in order to more efficiently use PDC resources, the three complaints you filed have been combined into one letter. PDC staff reviewed the statutes, rules and reporting requirements, the complaint and the exhibits submitted including all other pertinent supplemental documentation and materials, campaign finance reports filed by TFW and WFKC, and the responses from Ms. Jensen, and the treasurer for TFW and WFKC. 

Staff reviewed the C-1 reports filed by Randy Boss for 2018 and dating back to 1996, and Ms. Jensen was never disclosed as being a committee officer or principal decision maker for any of his campaigns. As noted in the letter, Ms. Jensen’s contributions to WFKC did not make her a sponsor of the committee, and Ms. Jensen has never been listed as a Committee officer or principal decisionmaker for either TFW or WFKC, nor has she been paid any committee funds as either a consultant or vendor.

Based on our findings, there was no evidence provided or found by staff indicating that Ms. Jensen earmarked, instructed or designated her contributions made to WFKC, were to be passed through to TFW and spent or otherwise used to produce independent expenditure advertisements in opposition to candidate Caldier, on behalf of the Randy Boss Campaign. 

The PDC has dismissed the complaints against Marlyn Jensen, Truth for Washington, and the Working Families of King County in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).