Geiger, Kelly: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.240 for failure to provide sufficient expenditure details on C-4 reports for election year 2017. (Oct '19)

Case

#59154

Respondent

Kelly Geiger

Complainant

Steven Fox

Description

The PDC received a complaint alleging that Kelly Geiger (the “Respondent”) may have violated RCW 42.17A.240 by failing to provide sufficient expenditure details on C-4 reports during election year 2017. 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:

RCW 42.17A.240(6) requires candidates to report the name & address of each person to whom an expenditure is made in the aggregate amount of more than $50 during the period covered by the report, including the amount, date and purpose of each expenditure. 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 filed four C-4 reports in 2017 that appeared to lack expenditure details regarding signs, political flyers, and handout/flyers. The Respondent amended the four C-4 reports to include the missing information on October 15, 2019.

Based on these findings, staff determined that, in this instance, the Respondent’s failure to provide complete expenditure descriptions on C-4 reports does not amount to a violation that warrants further investigation. However, the PDC reminded the Respondent about the importance of providing detailed expenditure descriptions on C-4 reports. 

The Respondent made minor or ministerial errors on required reports, which did not materially impact the public interest. Upon being notified of the errors, the Respondent quickly amended its reports, making the necessary technical corrections as requested by staff. The PDC has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1). 

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

October 24, 2019

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

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