Spokane County Republican Central Committee: Alleged Violation of RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to include sponsor identification, party affiliation, paid-for-by information, and correct text formatting. (OCT 2018)

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed by Alex Brooks on October 8, 2018. The complaint alleged that the Spokane County Republican Central Committee (SCRCC), and Donna O’Leary, an individual who is active in the SCRCC, may have violated RCW 42.17A.320 by failing to include sponsor identification (paid-for-by information), party affiliation, and correct text formatting in its political advertising that was for two “meet and greet the candidates” meetings, one held in 2016 and one in 2018. 

PDC staff reviewed the allegations listed in the complaint to determine whether a formal investigation or enforcement action is warranted. Staff reviewed all the exhibits submitted with the complaint, and the November 7, 2018 response letter received via email from Robin Ball with the SCRCC. 

While the 2018 ad organized and paid for by Donna O’Leary failed to include the paid-for-by and party preference information, PDC staff found no evidence of a material violation that would require conducting a more formal investigation into the complaint or pursuing enforcement action in this instance. 

Although PDC will not be conducting a formal investigation into these allegations or taking further enforcement action in this matter, staff has reminded the SCRCC and its district leader, Donna O’Leary, of the expectation and importance of including required Sponsor Identification and Party Preference information in political advertising so the public can identify who paid for the political advertising, and when required, the party preference of candidates featured in the advertising, in future years, as required by the PDC laws and rules.

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