Seattle Fire Fighters Union Local 27: Alleged Violation of RCW 42.17A.420 for for exceeding contribution limitations within 21 days of an election (EY 17, Oct 19)

Case

#59238

Respondent

Seattle Firefighters Union, Local 27 Voluntary PAC

Complainant

Glen Morgan

Description

On October 24, 2019, the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) received a complaint alleging that the Seattle Firefighters Union Local 27 Voluntary PAC, a committee registered with the PDC in 2016 as an Other Political Committee, may have violated RCW 42.17A.420 by accepting contributions exceeding $5,000 from a single source within twenty-one days of the November 7, 2017 general election. 

PDC staff reviewed the allegation, including the applicable statutes, rules and the reporting requirement and found that prior to receiving the $25,000 contribution from IAFF PAC, the Committee had received $101,295 in total contributions received and made $85,365 in total expenditures as of October 26, 2017. The Committee's 2017 expenditures totaled $87,370, so according to staff's calculations, none of the IAFF PAC's $25,000 contribution was used to support or oppose candidates for the 2017 general election. In addition, the January 2018 C-4 report filed by the Committee disclosed $49,627 in surplus 2017 Committee funds were carried forward into calendar year 2018, which further confirmed that those had not been spent in 2017. 

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

However, staff reminded the Committee about the importance of the statutory restriction on accepting contributions exceeding  $5,000 from a single source within twenty-one days of a general election, including all other  applicable statutes and rules. 

Based on this information, staff 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

• 59238 Seattle Firefighters Union Local 27 Voluntary PAC Complaint Return Letter.pdf
• 59238 Seattle Firefighters Union, Local 27 Voluntary PAC Response.pdf
• 59238 Seattle Fire Fighters Union Local 27 Complaint.pdf