Shetler, Adam (3): Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.205 for failure to register as a candidate for 2019 election year within two weeks of declaring candidacy, receiving contributions and/or making expenditures. (EY 19 Oct 18)

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed by Marcus Griffith on October 1, 2018. The complaint alleged that Adam Shetler, a candidate for City Councilperson for the City of Vancouver may have violated RCW 42.17A.205 by failing to timely file a Candidate Registration (C-1 report) within two weeks of posting a statement on Facebook declaring his 2019 candidacy. 

PDC staff reviewed the allegations listed in the complaint, the statutes, rules and reporting requirements, and the C-1 reports and Personal Financial Affairs Statement (F-1 report) filed by Adam Shetler.

Mr. Shetler’s failure to respond to multiple staff requests to provide a response to the complaint and file the missing reports is troubling. 

However, PDC staff noted that he was a first-time candidate in 2018 who filed a C-1 and F-1 report, selecting the Mini Reporting Option on the C-1 report and appeared unfamiliar with the PDC requirements. Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(b), PDC staff issued a formal written warning to Mr. Shetler concerning the importance of the PDC laws and reporting requirements, including registering as a candidate within two weeks of declaring his candidacy. This formal written warning coveys our expectation that Mr. Shetler will fully comply with the requirement listed above in the future as a declared candidate, and obtain any necessary assistance to comply with the reporting requirements. The Commission will consider this formal written warning if there are any future PDC law or rule violations by Mr. Shetler. 

Based on this information, the PDC has dismissed the complaint in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).