Giddens, Jacqueline (3): Alleged Violation of RCW 42.17A.235 for failure to timely and accurately file contribution and expenditure reports to disclose a fair booth, signs, and related campaign materials. (AUG 2018)

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed by Josephine Delvin on August 22, 2018. The Complaint alleged that Jacqueline Lopez Giddens, a first-time candidate seeking the office of County Clerk for Franklin County, may have violated RCW 42.17A.235 for failure to timely and accurately file Monetary Contribution reports (C-3 reports) and Summary Full Campaign Contribution and Expenditure reports (C-4 reports) during the 2018 election campaign.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations, the statutes and rules, the C-3 and C-4 reports filed by the Committee to Elect Jacqueline Lopez Giddens (Campaign), and the responses from Jacqueline Lopez Giddens.

Based on ourfindings and the following facts, staff has determined that in this instance, the failure to timely and accurately file the contribution and expenditure reports does not amount to a material violation warranting further investigation since: (1) Jacqueline Lopez Giddens is a first-time candidate for public office; (2) The Campaign substantially met all other required filing due dates within the previous 12-month period. (3) The late 7-Day Pre-Primary Election C-4 report represented less than two percent of total monetary and in-kind contributions received.

PDC staff is reminding Jackie Lopez Giddens about the importance of the timely disclosure of all contribution and expenditure activities, including the 7-Day Pre-Primary Election C-4 report, and the timely filings of all future PDC reports.

The PDC has closed the matter, and will not be conducting a more formal investigation into your complaint or pursuing further enforcement action in this case.