DuPont Citizens for Paramedics: Alleged violation of WAC 390-16-125 for exceeding Mini Reporting limitations by accepting contributions from one source over $500 (EY 19; Oct 19)

Case

#59543

Respondent

DuPont Citizens for Paramedics

Complainant

Maria Pierce

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint Maria Pierce filed on October 31, 2019. The complaint alleged that DuPont Citizens for Paramedics (Committee), a local ballot committee registered with the PDC in support of Proposition 1, a City of DuPont Levy Lid Lift for Fire and Medic One, appearing on the November 6, 2019 general election ballot may have violated WAC 390-16-125 by exceeding the contribution limitations of the Mini Reporting Option by accepting contributions from one source that exceeded $500.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements for a local ballot committee; the responses provided by the Committee Officers; the applicable PDC reports filed by the Committee; and queried the Committee’s data in the PDC contribution and expenditure database.

The $150 civil penalty assessed against the Dupont Citizens for Paramedics in this matter was done in accordance with WAC 390-37-143 (Brief Enforcement Penalty Schedule).  By completing the SOU, Dupont Citizens for Paramedics acknowledged a violation of WAC 390-16-125 for exceeding the contribution limits of the Mini Reporting Option by receiving and depositing the $2,500 monetary contribution from the DuPont Professional Fire Fighter Local 3829.  The $150 penalty paid by the DuPont Citizens for Paramedics resolves the allegation listed in your complaint.

Based on this information, and that the DuPont Citizens for Paramedics: (1) was a first-time ballot committee; (2) was unfamiliar with the committee reporting requirements; and (3) completed an SOU, paid a $150 civil penalty, and acknowledged a violation of WAC 390-16-125, staff has determined in this instance, the exceeding the limitations of the Mini Reporting Option do not warrant further investigation.

PDC staff has reminded the DuPont Citizens for Paramedics to adhere to the PDC reporting requirements in the future should the committee register and report as a Ballot Committee or political committee in accordance with PDC statues and rules. 

Based on these facts, PDC staff is dismissing the complaint in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1). 

Disposition

Resolved through Statement of Understanding

Date Opened

October 31, 2019

Areas of Law

WAC 390-16-125

Documents

Penalties

Total penalties: $150

Balance Due: $0

DuPont Citizens for Paramedics

Penalty
$150
Payments
$150 on 12/19/2019 (Statement of Understanding)

Subscribe for updates

{{statusMessage}}

To subscribe to this case, enter your email address in the form below and click "Send confirmation link" button. You will be sent a secure link via email that will confirm your subscription.


An email containing a link to confirm your subscription to this case has been sent to {{ email }}.

If you do not receive an email within a few minutes, please check your junk mail or mail filters.

Send again

{{statusMessage}}