We the Governed: Alleged violations of Chapter 42.17A RCW for failure to report contributions and expenditures, failure to disclose sponsor ID, and failure to report independent expenditures/electioneering communications (Feb 19)

Case

#47250

Respondent

We the Governed

Complainant

Northwest Accountability Project

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed by the Northwest Accountability Project on March 29, 2019. The complaint alleged that We the Governed, a 2016 political committee, may have violated RCW 42.17A.235 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 undertaken by the Campaign; RCW 42.17A.255, .260, and .305 for failure to timely and accurately file Independent Spending and Electioneering Communication reports (C-6 reports), disclosing independent expenditures and electioneering communications; and RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to include sponsor identification and top five contributors on political advertising. 

The complaint also alleged that We the Governed, LLC, may have violated RCW 42.17A.205 for failure to file a Political Committee Registration report (C-1pc report); RCW 42.17A.235 for failure to timely and accurately file C-3 reports and C-4 reports, disclosing contributions and expenditures undertaken by the Campaign; RCW 42.17A.255, .260, and .305 for failure to timely and accurately file C-6 reports, disclosing independent expenditures and electioneering communications; and RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to include sponsor identification and top five contributors on political advertising.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the responses provided by We the Governed; 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 our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, insufficient evidence has been provided to support a finding of a 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

February 19, 2019

Areas of Law

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

Documents

• 47250 We the Governed Response.pdf
• 47250 We the Governed Complaint.pdf
• 47250 We the Governed Supplemental Complaint.pdf
• 47250 We the Governed Complaint Return Letter.pdf