Von Gehr, George: Alleged violations of Chapter 42.17A RCW for failure to timely register a political committee, report contributions and expenditures, over-limit contributions, and to disclose proper Sponsor ID on political advertising (EY 18; Nov 18)

Case

#42577

Respondent

George Von Gehr

Complainant

Lois DiMarco

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed by Lois J. DiMarco on October 30, 2018. The complaint alleged that George Von Gehr, may have violated: (1) RCW 42.17A.205 for failure to register a political committee in support of the 2018 Nicholas Power for San Juan County Prosecutor Campaign; (2) RCW 42.17A.235 and RCW 42.17A.240 for failure to timely and accurately file Monetary Contribution reports (C-3 reports) and Summary Full Campaign Contribution and Expenditure reports (C-4 reports), disclosing contributions and expenditures for political advertising costs related to two paid advertisements; (3) RCW 42.17A.405 for making over-limit contributions to the Power Campaign through political advertising purchased after review and approval by the candidate; (4) RCW 42.17A.255, .260 and .305 for failure to timely and accurately report independent expenditures or electioneering communications; and (5) RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to accurately and completely disclose sponsor identification on written political advertisement.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the response(s) provided by Mr. Von Gehr and Nicholas Power in a related case (PDC Case 42587); the applicable PDC reports filed by Respondent; and queried the Respondent’s data in the PDC contribution and expenditure database, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.

Based on these findings staff has determined that, in this instance, any campaign activities, including possible payments made by George Von Gehr using personal funds to a vendor presenting political advertisements, does not support a finding of an actual violation warranting further investigation.

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 No Evidence of Violations

Date Opened

November 02, 2018

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.205, RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.255, RCW 42.17A.260, RCW 42.17A.305, RCW 42.17A.405