Miller, Peter: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to identify sponsor on political advertising (billboard). (EY '19; Oct '19)

Case

#58719

Respondent

Peter Miller

Complainant

Abraham Ritter, Joan Halbert

Description

The PDC received a complaint alleging that Peter Miller (the “Respondent”) may have violated RCW 42.17A.320 by failing to identify the sponsor on political advertising (e.g. billboard). PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules and reporting requirements; and the response provided by the Respondent to determine whether they support a finding of one or more violations. 

Staff’s review found the following:

RCW 42.17A.320 requires political advertising to include the sponsor’s name and address.

During the 2019 election, the Respondent and fellow candidate Malia Hollowell co-sponsored advertising that appeared on a billboard in Maple Valley, Washington. The billboard did not include the names & addresses of the billboard’s sponsors.

The Respondent is a first-time candidate who said he was unaware of the sponsor identification requirements for political advertising. He indicated his erroneous belief that sponsor identification is not required for advertising that candidates pay for themselves. Upon being notified of the complaint on October 16, 2019, the Respondent immediately took steps to resolve non-compliance by contacting the billboard company the same day and instructing them to reprint the advertising. The revised billboard, including sponsor identification, was posted on October 25, 2019.

Based on these findings, staff determined that, in this instance, the Respondent’s failure to identify the sponsors of political advertising does not amount to a violation that warrants further investigation. PDC staff reminded the Respondent about the importance of identifying the sponsor’s name and address on political advertising, including billboards. The PDC finds that no further actions is warranted. and has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

October 16, 2019

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.320

Documents

• 58719 Miller Peter Complaint 2.pdf
• 58719 Miller Peter Complaint 1.pdf
• 58719 Miller Peter Response.pdf
• 58719 & 58801 Miller Peter Reminder Letter.pdf