Barker, April: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.445 & .240 for personal use of campaign contributions & failure to provide sufficient expenditure details (EY '19; Sep '19)

Case

#58094

Respondent

April Barker

Complainant

Glen Morgan

Description

On September 27, 2019, the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) received a complaint from Glen Morgan alleging that April Barker, a candidate for Mayor for the City of Bellingham in 2019, may have violated RCW 42.17A.240 and .445 by failing to provide sufficient expenditure details and for personal us of campaign contributions. 

Staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules and reporting requirements; the C-3 and C-4 reports filed by the April Barker for Bellingham Committee and determined that the two expenditures mentioned in the complaint lacked proper or complete description as required by PDC law/rules. Regarding the allegation of alleged misuse of campaign funds for personal use, staff found that the two expenditures to Verizon Wireless for cellular phone service for the Campaign covering the months of June and July 2019, were not for Ms. Barker's personal use, but rather a specific/dedicated campaign line.

Staff determined that the noncompliance was a result of a minor error, which the Campaign remedied by filing amended C-4 reports as soon as they received a copy of the complaint. 

Based on this information, the PDC finds that no further action is warranted and dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755 (1). 

Disposition

Resolved with Technical Correction

Date Opened

October 02, 2019

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.240, RCW 42.17A.445

Documents

• 58094 Barker April Complaint.pdf
• 58094 Barker April Response.pdf
• 58094 Baker April Complaint Return Letter.pdf