Smart Reforms for a Better Spokane: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.240 for failure to accurately disclose contributor address and expenditure details (EY 19; Oct 19)

Case

#59233

Respondent

Smart Reforms for a Better Spokane

Complainant

Glen Morgan

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint Glen Morgan filed on October 25, 2019. The complaint alleged that Smart Reforms for a Better Spokane (Sponsored by Standard Trust), a political committee, may have violated RCW 42.17A.240 for failure to accurately and completely disclose contributor addresses on Monetary Contribution reports (C-3 reports); RCW 42.17A.240, WAC 390-16-037, and WAC 390-16-205 for failure to accurately and completely disclose expenditure details, including the number of items printed for political advertising, and sub-vendors utilized by the campaign, on Summary Full Campaign Contribution and Expenditure reports (C-4 reports); and RCW 42.17A.205, RCW 42.17A.320, and WAC 390-16-011A for failure to disclose the name of Standard Trust as the sponsoring person in the committee’s name on the Political Committee Registration (Registration) and on political advertising.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the response provided by the Respondent; the applicable PDC reports filed by the Respondent; queried the Respondent’s data in the PDC contribution and expenditure database; and contacted the Central Business Park in Spokane Valley, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.

Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, failure to accurately and completely disclose contribution and expenditure details, and to disclose the name of the committee’s sponsor, do not amount to violations that warrant further investigation.

PDC staff is reminding Smart Reforms for a Better Spokane (Sponsored by Standard Trust) about the importance of completely and accurately disclosing contribution and expenditure details, and timely disclosing sponsorship on committee registrations and political advertising. PDC staff expects Smart Reforms for a Better Spokane (Sponsored by Standard Trust) to review their filings and timely make required disclosures on reports and political advertising in the future.

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.240, WAC 390-16-037, WAC 390-16-205