Bertlin, Debbie (2): Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.555 for misuse of public facilities to support candidate's own election campaign (EY 19; Jul 19)

Case

#55282

Respondent

Debbie Bertlin

Complainant

Glen Morgan

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed by Glen Morgan on July 21, 2019. The complaint alleged that Debbie Bertlin (Respondent), the 2019 incumbent candidate for Mayor of the City of Mercer Island, may have violated RCW 42.17A.555 for misuse of phones, computers, servers, and other public facilities owned and operated by the City of Mercer Island to support the candidate's own election campaign.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the responses provided by the Respondent; 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 no evidence supports a finding of a violation that warrants 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

July 26, 2019

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.555