Sinker, Jeff: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.235 & .240 for failure to timely & accurately report contributions & expenditures. (EY '19; Oct '19)

Case

#59326

Respondent

Jeff Sinker

Complainant

Robin Carl Johnson

Description

The PDC received a complaint alleging that Jeff Sinker (the “Respondent”) may have violated RCW 42.17A.235 & .240 by failing to timely & accurately report deposits, contributions & expenditures on C-3 & C-4 reports.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations and evidence provided; 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:

The Respondent is a candidate for election who did not participate in the Primary Election. He registered as a candidate with the PDC on September 4, 2019 by filing a C-1 report and selected the Full Reporting Option, which triggers the requirement to file periodic C-3 & C-4 reports with the PDC based on the election cycle. 

Upon being notified of the complaint, the Respondent indicated that his campaign did not solicit or collect contributions but had received in-kind contributions, which he previously attempted to report. The Respondent indicated that technical issues with the online filing system had frustrated compliance. He quickly took corrective action to disclose campaign activity for September & October and worked with the PDC to amend minor or ministerial errors on previously submitted reports. 

Based on these findings, staff determined that, in this instance, the Respondent’s failure to timely & accurately file two C-4 reports does not amount to a violation that warrants further investigation. However, the PDC reminded the Respondent about the importance of timely disclosing all contribution & expenditure activity, including in-kind donations, and timely filing all future PDC reports. The PDC has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1). 

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

October 28, 2019

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

• 59326 Sinker Jeff Reminder Letter.pdf
• 59326 Sinker Jeff Complaint.pdf
• 59326 Sinker Jeff Response.pdf