Thobaben, Christopher: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.235 & .320 for failure to timely and accurately report campaign expenditures and identify sponsor on political signs. (EY 18; Aug 18)

Case

#39227

Respondent

Christopher Thobaben

Complainant

Justin Riley

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed on August 4, 2018. The complaint alleged that Christopher Thobaben, a candidate for State Representative in the 18th Legislative District in 2018, may have violated; (1) RCW 42.17A.235 and RCW 42.17A.240 by failing to timely and accurately file Summary Full Reporting of Contribution and Expenditure Reports (C-4 report) disclosing contribution and expenditure activities, including in-kind contributions, debts or other obligations; and (2) RCW 42.17A320 by failing to include the proper sponsor identification on political advertising sponsored by his Campaign.

In his response, Mr. Thobaben stated that he had inadvertently failed to identify his participation in the August 2018 primary election inside of his ORCA (Online Reporting of Campaign Activity) dataset and therefore missed the deadline for July reports. In addition, he stated that he was in transit, returning from annual training with the Marine Corps Reserve when the filing deadline for the 21-day and 7-day pre-primary C-4 reports passed and that the reports were filed immediately upon receiving notification regarding the missing reports. Mr. Thobaben confirmed that the Campaign yard signs, clothing and bumper stickers were exempt from the sponsor identification requirements identified in WAC 390-18-030.

Based on the fact that Christopher Thobaben is a first-time candidate for public office, he has no prior PDC violations and took quick corrective action to address the non-compliance issues identified in the complaint, the PDC has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1). Mr. Thobaben will be reminded about the importance of complying with the reporting requirements for a candidate under the Full Reporting option to timely file C-3 and C-4 reports disclosing contributions and expenditures, including in-kind contributions, debts or other obligations, undertaken by his Campaign, in accordance with RCW 42.17A.235 and ,240 for the duration of the 2018 election cycle.

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

August 14, 2018

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235

Documents

• 39227 Thobaben Christopher Complaint.pdf
• 39227 Thobaben Christopher Response.pdf
• 39227 Thobaben Christopher supplemental response.pdf
• 39227 Thobaben Christopher Reminder Ltr.pdf