Hammill, Daniel: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.240 for failure to provide sufficient expenditure details & report candidate filing fee (EY '19; Sep '19)

Case

#58102

Respondent

Daniel Hammill

Complainant

Glen Morgan

Description

The PDC received a complaint alleging that Daniel Hammill (the “Respondent”) may have violated RCW 42.17A.240 by failing to provide sufficient expenditure details & report his candidate filing fee. PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules and reporting requirements; the response provided by the Respondent; and the Respondent’s reporting history to determine whether they support a finding of one or more violations.  

Staff’s review found the following: 

The Respondent registered as a candidate with the PDC by filing a C-1 report on March 21, 2019. On the C-1 report, the Respondent selected the Full Reporting Option. As a result, the Respondent is required to file periodic C-3 & C-4 reports, based on the election cycle, disclosing the campaign’s contribution and expenditure activities. Pursuant to WAC 390-16-037, expenditures disclosed on the C-4 report should be described “in detail,” including how the recipient of the expenditure (e.g. vendor) will use the goods and/or services purchased, and numerical descriptions (e.g. the number of items printed).    

The Respondent did not timely report his candidate filing fee on a May C-4 report or sufficient describe an expenditure made to AMS Print & Mail Specialist on the campaign's 7-day pre-primary C-4 report. Upon being notified of the missing information, the Respondent took corrective action and made a good-faith effort to comply by amending the necessary reports. The Respondent indicated that noncompliance was the result of a misunderstanding. 

Based on these findings, staff determined that, in this instance, the Respondent’s failure to timely & accurately report his candidate filing fee and sufficiently describe an expenditure does not amount to a violation that warrants further investigation. However, the PDC reminded the Respondent about the importance of timely disclosing all expenditures, including the candidate filing fee and any in-kind loans or contributions from the candidate to his campaign.  

The Respondent made minor or ministerial errors on his reports, which did not materially impact the public interest. Upon notification of the error, the Respondent timely amended his reports, making the necessary technical corrections. The PDC has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).  
 

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

October 02, 2019

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

• 58102 Hammill Daniel Reminder Letter.pdf
• 58102 Hammill Daniel Response.pdf
• 58102 Hammill Daniel Complaint.pdf