- Home
- Rules & Enforcement
- Enforcement
- Enforcement Cases
- III Branches Law: Alleged violations of Chapter 42.17A RCW for failure to timely report independent expenditures and electioneering communications, and for failure to include proper Sponsor ID on newspaper advertising (EY 18; Aug 18)
III Branches Law: Alleged violations of Chapter 42.17A RCW for failure to timely report independent expenditures and electioneering communications, and for failure to include proper Sponsor ID on newspaper advertising (EY 18; Aug 18)
Case
#40030
Respondent
III Branches Law
Complainant
Conner Edwards
Description
The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed by Connor Edwards on August 27, 2018. The complaint alleged that III Branches Law, a law firm making independent expenditures and electioneering communications supporting four candidates in the 2018 election, and its principal Joan Mell, may have violated RCW 42.17A.255 and RCW 42.17A.260 by failing to timely and accurately file independent expenditures of one hundred dollars or more within five days of the expenditure (C-6 reports) and RCW 42.17A.255, .260 and .305 by failing to electronically submit reports within 24 hours, disclosing electioneering communications with a value of one thousand dollars or more within 60 days before the primary election (C-6).
PDC staff reviewed the allegations, the C-6 reports filed by III Branches Law, and the response from attorney Kenneth S. Kagan, PLLC on behalf of the client III Branches Law and its principal Joan Mell.
Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(b), III Branches Law and its principal, Joan Mell, will receive a formal written warning concerning the failure to timely and accurately file independent expenditures of one hundred dollars or more within five days of the expenditure (C-6 reports) and RCW 42.17A.255, .260 and .305 by failing to electronically submit reports within 24 hours, disclosing electioneering communications with a value of one thousand dollars or more within 60 days before the primary election (C-6). The formal written warning will include staff’s expectation that the law firm file accurate and timely C-6 reports in future elections in which you participate. The Commission will consider the formal written warning in deciding on further Commission action if there are future violations of PDC laws or rules.
Based on these facts, staff has determined that in this instance, no evidence to support finding a material violation warranting a more formal investigation into the complaint or pursuing further enforcement action in this case. The PDC has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).
Disposition
Case Closed with Written Warning
Date Opened
August 28, 2018
Areas of Law
RCW 42.17A.255, RCW 42.17A.260, RCW 42.17A.305
Documents
Subscribe for updates
To subscribe to this case, enter your email address in the form below and click "Send confirmation link" button. You will be sent a secure link via email that will confirm your subscription.
An email containing a link to confirm your subscription to this case has been sent to {{ email }}.
If you do not receive an email within a few minutes, please check your junk mail or mail filters.
{{statusMessage}}