UA Local 32 Pipe PAC: Alleged Violation of RCW 42.17A.420 for exceeding contribution limitations within 21 days of an election (EY 18, Oct 19)

Case

#59212

Respondent

UA Local 32 Pipe PAC

Complainant

Glen Morgan

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed on October 24, 2019. The complaint alleged that UA Local 32 Pipe PAC, a political committee registered during the 2018 primary and general elections, may have violated RCW 42.17A.420 for accepting contributions exceeding $5,000 from a single source within twenty-one days of the November 6, 2018 general election.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the response provided by Dmitri Iglitzin, on behalf of his client UA Local 32 Pipe PAC; the applicable PDC reports filed by Respondent; and queried the Respondent’s data in the PDC contribution and expenditure database, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.

During its review, staff found that of the reported $24,750 dollars in total campaign contributions made by UA Local 32 Pipe PAC during the 2018 election, more than sixty-seven percent went to candidates during the primary election. A total of $8,000 dollars in additional contributions was made on September 17, 2018 and October 17, 2018, to candidates participating in the November 6, 2018 general election. It appears that UA Local 32 Pipe PAC did not use any of the funds received from United Association Local 32 Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC/Refrigeration Mechanics Union on October 18, 2018 to make contributions to 2018 candidate campaigns.

Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, accepting a contribution exceeding $5,000 from a single source within twenty-one days of the November 6, 2018 general election, does not amount to a violation that warrants further investigation.

PDC staff reminded UA Local 32 Pipe PAC about the importance of the restriction on accepting contributions exceeding $5,000 from a single source within twenty-one days of a general election and all other applicable statutes and rules.

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 Reminder

Date Opened

October 25, 2019

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.420

Documents

• 59212 UA Local 32 Pipe PAC Complaint.pdf
• 59212 UA Local 32 Pipe PAC Response.pdf
• 59212 UA Local 32 Pipe PAC Reminder Letter.pdf