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- Constantine, James Dow (2): Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.555 by using public office or agency facilities to assist an election campaign. (EY 2017; Oct '19)
Constantine, James Dow (2): Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.555 by using public office or agency facilities to assist an election campaign. (EY 2017; Oct '19)
Case
#58353
Respondent
James Dow Constantine
Complainant
Chestine Edgar
Description
The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed on October 2, 2019. The complaint alleged that James Dow Constantine, incumbent King County Executive, may have violated RCW 42.17A.555 by arranging and holding a press conference that included campaigning for four candidates for Burien City Council running in the 2017 election and by authorizing his staff members, Lauren Leigh Craig and Diana Carlson, to assist with the event in their official capacity, including the use of King County equipment and staff time.
PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes and rules; PDC Interpretation 04-02; and the response provided by Gregory Wong, Attorney with Pacifica Law Group on behalf of his client, Mr. Constantine, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.
It appears that the October 30, 2017 press conference was arranged for the purpose of responding to flyers, that were seen by community members as a “threat to public safety” and were circulated to residents of Burien four days earlier. No evidence was found that Dow Constantine used King County equipment, staff or other resources to support the 2017 Burien City Council candidate campaigns of Jimmy Matta, Krystal Marx, Pedro Olguin or Nancy Tosta.
Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, no evidence supports a finding of a violation that warrants further investigation.
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 No Evidence of Violations
Date Opened
October 09, 2019
Areas of Law
RCW 42.17A.555
Documents
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