Citizens for Ridgefield Schools: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.220 for accepting and retaining over-limit anonymous contributions (EY 16; Jul 19)

Case

#54858

Respondent

Citizens for Ridgefield Schools

Complainant

Glen Morgan

Description

On July 17, 2019, the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) received a complaint alleging that the Citizens for Ridgefield Schools, may have violated RCW 42.17A.220(4) for accepting over the limit anonymous contributions.

PDC staff reviewed the complaint/allegation and determined that the Citizens for Ridgefield Schools could accept the greater amount of up to 1% of the total accumulated contributions.

In it's response, the Citizens for Ridgefield Schools stated..."The larger sum deposited as anonymous appears to be from our January auction and fundraiser that year. A series of of auction item purchases and mostly paddle raises that were paid for with cash that was lumped together, but not deposited as individual donations."

On September 30, 2019, the PDC received all the amendments with all the deposits correctly attributed showing the Citizen for Ridgefield Schools accepted only $81 in true anonymous funds, which is below the statutory threshold of $300.

Based on the above, the PDC found no evidence to support a finding of a violation warranting further investigation. However, the PDC staff reminded the Citizens for Ridgefield Schools about the importance of filing accurate C-3 and C-4 reports in the future to reflect the actual/true source of contributions received by the committee.

Accordingly, the PDC dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

July 17, 2019

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.220