Experience Learning Community DBA Museum of Pop Culture (aka MoPOP): Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.207 & WAC 390-16-013 for failure to timely & accurately register as an incidental committee. (EY '19, Aug '19)

Case

#56613

Respondent

Experience Learning Community DBA Museum of Pop Culture (aka MoPOP)

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 Experience Learning Community DBA Museum of Pop Culture (also known as “MoPOP”), 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 David A. Lawson, an Attorney with Davis Wright Tremaine, on behalf of his client MoPOP; and the applicable PDC reports filed by Respondent, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.

It appears that MoPOP was aware of the Disclose Act but did not believe it applied to a payment made in 2019 for accrued liability from the previous calendar year and prior to the Act’s effective date. its activity their registration and filing obligations as an incidental committee. MoPOP 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 MoPOP 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 26, 2019

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.207

Documents

• 56613 Experience Learning Community dba Museum of Pop Culture (aka MoPOP) Response.pdf
• 56613 Experience Learning Community dba Museum of Pop Culture (aka MoPOP) Complaint.pdf
• 56613 Experience Learning Community dba Museum of Pop Culture (aka MoPOP) Reminder Letter.pdf