Families Yes: Alleged Violation of RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to list the Top Five Contributors in political advertising. (OCT 2018)

Case

#42538

Respondent

Phil Lloyd

Complainant

Conner Edwards

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed
on October 20, 2018. Your complaint alleged that Families Yes, a 2018 election year committee,
may have violated RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to identify the “Top Five Contributors” to the
committee in political advertisement mail piece they sponsored.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements;
and the response provided by Phil Lloyd, Treasurer for Families Yes, to determine whether the
record supports a finding of one or more violations.

Although the committee, Families Yes, sponsored two mailers that did not include the “Top Five
Contributors” as required at the time they were distributed, the committee followed up with their
direct mail vendor as soon as the oversight was identified through receipt of the complaint and
promptly made corrections to two additional mailers and other political advertisement to ensure
compliance

Based on these findings staff has determined that, in this instance, failure to include the required
“Top Five Contributors” statement with the list of donors on two mailers they sponsored does
not amount to an actual violation warranting further investigation.

PDC staff is reminding Families Yes about the importance of included complete sponsor
identification, including the “Top Five Contributors” when required on all future political
advertisements they sponsor in accordance with the statutes and rules.

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

November 01, 2018

Areas of Law

Areas of law not found