Sheetz, Michael: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.555 by using public office or agency facilities to assist an election campaign. (EY '19; Oct '19)

Case

#59376

Respondent

Michael Sheetz

Complainant

Jeffrey Brittig, Joseph Cooper

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint Jeffrey Brittig filed on October 25, 2019 and the complaint filed by Joseph D. Cooper on November 10, 2019. Staff reviewed the complaint filed by Mr. Cooper and, finding the allegations similar to those already being investigated under the original complaint filed by Mr. Brittig, merged the two complaints and notified Mr. Cooper of this action on November 15, 2019. The complaints alleged that Michael Sheetz, incumbent Fire Commissioner for Mason County Fire Protection District 6, Position 2 and candidate in the 2019 election, may have violated RCW 42.17A.555 by using public facilities to support his 2019 re-election campaign.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes and rules; PDC Interpretation 04-02; and the response provided by Commissioner Sheetz, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.

During staff’s review of the allegations and materials provided in the complaints, no evidence was found to confirm that MCFD 6 maintained a Facebook page or was the creator of the page for The Mighty Mason 6. In addition, no evidence was found to connect Michael Sheetz to the mailed political advertisement sponsored by Friends of the Union Fire Department.

Based on these findings staff has determined that no evidence supports a finding of a violation warranting further investigation.

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 No Evidence of Violations

Date Opened

October 29, 2019

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.555