Aragon, Sofia: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.240 for failure to accurately report expenditures, and .320 for failure to disclose sponsor identification on political advertising (EY 19; Jul 19)

Case

#55339

Respondent

Sofia Aragon

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 Sofia Aragon (Respondent), a 2019 candidate for Burien City Council, may have violated RCW 42.17A.240 and WAC 390-16-037 for failure to accurately and completely disclose in-kind contributions or expenditures undertaken by the Campaign; and RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to accurately and completely disclose sponsor identification on digital political advertising.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the responses provided by the Respondent; the applicable PDC reports filed by the 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, minor and ministerial errors on required reports that did not materially impact the public interest, and failure to include complete and accurate sponsor identification on digital political advertising, do not amount to violations that warrant further investigation.

PDC staff is reminding Sofia Aragon about the importance of the complete and accurate disclosure of in-kind contributions and expenditures, including the number of items printed for political advertising, and the complete and accurate disclosure of sponsor identification on political advertising in the future.

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 Reminder

Date Opened

July 29, 2019

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.240, WAC 390-16-037

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