Case #60143
Respondent name: Bob Thompson
Complainant name: Dorothy L Luzzo Gilmour

The PDC received a complaint alleging that Bob Thompson (the “Respondent”) may have violated RCW 42.17A.235 & .240 by failing to timely & accurately disclose 2019 contributions and expenditures undertaken by the campaign 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:

On the Candidate Registration (C-1 report) the Respondent filed with the PDC, he selected the Full Reporting option, obligating the campaign to file periodic C-3 & C-4 reports based on the election cycle. 

Upon being notified of this complaint, the Respondent indicated his erroneous belief that he had selected the Mini-Reporting option on his C-1 report. If selected, the Mini-Reporting option relieves a candidate’s campaign of the need to file C-3 & C-4 reports with the PDC if they raise & spend no more than $5,000 and receive no more than $500 from any one contributor. The Respondent indicated noncompliance was due to the retirement of his long-time legal assistant, who managed election campaign reporting. The new assistant was not fully aware of the reporting requirements for the Respondent’s campaign.

The Respondent filed a total of six C-4 reports, which were received after the election and 31-122 days late, and were later amended to include additional expenditure and in-kind contribution details.

Based on these findings, staff determined that, in this instance, the Respondent’s failure to timely file C-4 reports does not amount to a violation that warrants further investigation. However, the PDC issued the Respondent a formal written Warning, including PDC staff's expectation that the Respondent will timely file all required reports in future years. The Commission will consider the formal written Warning in deciding on further Commission action if there are future violations of PDC laws or rules. The PDC has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1). 

Disposition: Case Closed with Written Warning (Resolved 01/08/2020)
Date opened: 11/15/2019
Area of Law: RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240