North Snohomish County Union Firefighters Local 4033: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.255, .260 & .305 for failure to timely & accurately report independent expenditures. (EY '19; Nov '19)

Case

#60162

Respondent

North Snohomish County Union Firefighters Local 4033

Complainant

Robin Carl Johnson

Description

The PDC received a complaint alleging that North Snohomish County Union Firefighters Local 4033 (the “Respondent”) may have violated RCW 42.17A.255, .260 or .305 by failing to timely & accurately report, and provide sufficient expenditure details for, independent expenditures supporting candidate Jeff Sinker (campaign mailers and postage).

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; 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:

In mid-October of 2019, the Respondent made two independent expenditures to Woodinville Print totaling $2,907 for a postcard mailer that supported candidate Jeff Sinker and related postage. The postcard mailer was first presented to the public on October 17, 2019, within 19 days of an election. Due to its proximity to the election, the postcard expenditures were due to be reported to the PDC within 24 hours or by October 18, 2019. 

The Respondent reported the independent expenditure for postage on a C-6 report filed October 26, 2019, which was eight (8) days late; the postage was described as a “print shop” expenditure on the C-6 report. Upon being notified that the expenditure for the postcard mailer had not been reported and the postage expenditure needed further description, the Respondent amended its C-6 report within five days, making the reporting of the mailer 33 days late. Noncompliance appeared to be the result of a good-faith omission. 

Based on these findings, staff determined that, in this instance, the Respondent’s failure to timely & accurately report and sufficiently describe independent expenditures does not amount to a violation that warrants further investigation. However, the PDC reminded the Respondent about the importance of timely & accurately reporting independent expenditures and providing detailed expenditure descriptions on reports. The PDC has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1). 

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

November 15, 2019

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.255, RCW 42.17A.260, RCW 42.17A.305

Documents

• 60162 North Snohomish County Union Firefighters Local 4033 Complaint.pdf
• 60162 No Snohomish Co Union Firefighters Local 4033 Reminder Letter.pdf
• 60162 Exhibit C.pdf
• 60162 Exhibit A.pdf
• 60162 Exhibit B.pdf