Gun Owners Action League of Washington: Alleged Violation of RCW 42.17A.230, .235, .240, .250 for failure to timely or accurately disclose contribution reporting information and failure to report as an out-of-state political committee. (SEP 2018) .

Case

#41350

Respondent

Joseph Waldron

Complainant

Michael Maddux

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed by Michael Maddux on September 26, 2018. The Complaint alleged that Gun Owners Action League of WA (GOAL) may have violated RCW 42.17A.230, .235, .240, and .250, for failure to accurately disclose contributions, and failure to report as an out-of-state political committee.

Based on these facts, staff has determined that in this instance, failure to accurately itemize or disclose individual monetary contributions on C-3 reports as required by law by instead, reporting contributions as low-cost fund-raiser proceeds, does not amount to an actual material violation warranting further investigation. 

Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(b), Gun Owners Action League of WA will receive a formal written warning concerning GOAL’s misuse of the alternative reporting method of fund-raising activities (low-cost fund-raiser) allowed under RCW 42.17A.230. PDC staff expects that GOAL will file C-3 reports disclosing all monetary contributions received and deposited by the committee, and that the committee itemize these individual donations when required by law, in future calendar years. The Commission will consider the formal written warning in deciding on further Commission action if there are future violations of PDC laws or rules. 

PDC staff reviewed the remaining allegations concerning (1) the printing error that resulted in the incorrect address for the committee, (2) the address used for donations attributed to Joseph Waldron, and (3) GOAL’s failure to report as an out-of-state committee. 

Staff found no evidence to support those allegations beyond the admitted error made by the committee when printing their address on checks used for distributing campaign contributions. 

PDC staff has dismissed those allegations in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1). Based on this information, PDC staff has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

October 05, 2018

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

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