Fletcher Fuzzy: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.205 & .700 for failure to timely register candidate committee & file a Personal Financial Affairs Statement within two weeks of publicly declaring candidacy. (May 19)

Case

#51097

Respondent

Fuzzy Fletcher

Complainant

Darrell Lambert

Description

This case alleged that Fuzzy Fletcher (the "Respondent") may have violated RCW 42.17A.205 and .700 by failing to timely register as a candidate and file a statement of financial affairs within two weeks of publicly declaring candidacy. 

PDC staff reviewed the allegations, applicable statutes, rules and reporting requirements, the response provided by the Respondent, and the applicable PDC reports filed by the Respondent to determine whether they supported a finding of one or more violations.

Based on staff's review, the PDC found that the Respondent publicly announced his candidacy for Snoqualmie City Council position #4 at a Snoqualmie City Council Meeting on April 8, 2019. Pursuant to RCW 42.17A.205 and .700, the Respondent was required to file a Candidate Registration (C-1 report) and a Personal Financial Affairs Statement (F-1 report) with the PDC within two weeks of becoming a candidate (e.g. publicly announcing candidacy). The Respondent indicated that the late reports were the result of his erroneous belief that they were not due until after a candidate officially files with the appropriate Elections office.

Upon being notified of the missing reports, the Respondent quickly contacted the PDC and made a good-faith effort to resolve the matter by filing the required reports. The PDC received the Respondent's F-1 report on 5/14/19 and C-1 report on 5/16/19. 

The Respondent's noncompliance was the result of a good-faith error or omission, the impact to the public was minimal, the oversight did not occur during a critical election period, and the Respondent quickly took corrective action.  PDC reminded the Respondent about the importance of timely registering as a candidate and submitting a statement of financial affairs with the PDC within two weeks of becoming a candidate, and timely filing all future PDC reports. Based on this information, the PDC found that no further action was warranted and dismissed the matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

May 10, 2019

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.205, RCW 42.17A.700

Documents

• 51097 Fletcher Fuzzy Reminder Letter.pdf
• 51097 Fletcher Fuzzy Response.pdf
• 51097 Fletcher Fuzzy Complaint.pdf