MacEwen, Drew: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.335(1)(a) by making a false statement of material fact about a candidate for public office. (EY 18 Sep 18)

Case

#42179

Respondent

Drew MacEwen

Complainant

Sandra Giachino

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed by Sandra Giachino on October 9, 2018. The Complaint alleged that Drew MacEwen, incumbent and candidate for State Representative in Legislative District 35 in 2018, may have violated RCW 42.17A.335 by making false statements of material fact about his opponent, David Daggett, a candidate for public office.

PDC staff reviewed the applicable statutes; the response provided by Dan Brady on behalf of Drew MacEwen; and publicly available information regarding David Daggett’s political platform, to determine the allegations support a finding of one or more violations.

The statement regarding David Daggett’s position on second amendment issues appears to have been made based on the NRA scorecard and the complaint did not include any evidence to the contrary. However, staff was unable to find any publicly available statements where Mr. Daggett confirmed his official position on issues related to gun rights to determine if the statement included in the political advertisement was true or false. 

Based on these findings staff has determined that, in this instance, no evidence supports a finding of an actual violation warranting further investigation. PDC staff is reminding Drew MacEwen about the importance of vetting all information used in political advertisement, naming a candidate for public office and sponsored by any future campaigns he is involved with to avoid potential violations of RCW 42.17A.335.

Based on this information, the PDC finds that no further action is warranted and has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

October 24, 2018

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.335

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