The Seattle Aquarium Society (aka Seattle Aquarium): Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.207 & WAC 390-16-013 for failure to timely & accurately register as an incidental committee. (EY 2019, Aug 2019)

Case

#56584

Respondent

The Seattle Aquarium Society (aka Seattle Aquarium)

Complainant

Glen Morgan

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed on August 12, 2019. The complaint alleged that The Seattle Aquarium Society (also known as “Seattle Aquarium”), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization registered with the Washington State Secretary of State’s Office, may have violated: (1) RCW 42.17A.207 for failure to submit a C-1IC as an Incidental Committee; and (2) RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failure to timely file Incidental Committee Payments and Political Expenditures reports (C-8 reports).

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the response provided by Rick Johnson, Treasurer for Seattle Aquarium; and the applicable PDC reports filed by Respondent, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.

It appears that Seattle Aquarium was initially unaware of their registration and filing obligations as an incidental committee. The Respondent has not previously been the subject of enforcement action and postmarked the C-1IC and C-8 reports promptly upon PDC staff’s request.

Based on these findings staff has determined that, in this instance, failure to timely register and file reports as an incidental committee disclosing activity for calendar year 2019 does not amount to a finding of a violation warranting further investigation.

PDC staff reminded Seattle Aquarium about the importance of the timely registration and disclosure of all contribution and expenditure activities as an incidental committee, and the timely filings of all future PDC reports in accordance with the statutes and rules.

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

August 23, 2019

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.207

Documents

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