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

Case

#59572

Respondent

Amy Falcone

Complainant

Bradley J. Williamson

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed on October 25, 2019. The complaint alleged that Amy Falcone, a candidate for Kirkland City Council, Position 6 in 2019, may have violated RCW 42.17A.555 for misuse of public facilities by using a City of Kirkland police department ride-along event to benefit her 2019 election campaign.

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

The complaint included an additional allegation regarding a possible ethics violation. Apart from the portion of the ride-along event resulting in a possible violation of RCW 42.17A.555, staff found this allegation to be outside of the PDC’s jurisdiction and did not address this part of the complaint.

Amy Falcone is a first-time candidate for public office in 2019. It appears that Ms. Falcone did not intend to imply that the Kirkland Police Department endorsed or otherwise supported her 2019 Kirkland City Council campaign by including her campaign logo in close proximity to photos bearing the name of the department. In addition, City of Kirkland staff requested that Ms. 
Falcone remove the October 18, 2019 Facebook post. The post was removed two days later on October 20, 2019.

Staff found no evidence to prove that Ms. Falcone used the ride-along event to support her campaign. Ms. Falcone responded promptly to the complaint and has not previously been found in violation of PDC laws or rules. 

Based on these findings staff has determined that, in this instance, no evidence supports a finding of a violation that warrants 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

November 01, 2019

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.555

Documents

• 59572 Falcone Amy Response.pdf
• Attachment to 59572.pdf
• 59572 Falcone Amy Complaint.pdf
• 59572 Falcone Amy Complaint Return Letter.pdf