Hooper, Andrew "Drew": Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.205, .235 & .240 for failure to timely register as a candidate and report contributions & expenditures. (EY '19; Nov '19)

Case

#60336

Respondent

Andrew "Drew" Hooper

Complainant

Chad E Searls

Description

The PDC received a complaint alleging that Andrew Hooper (the “Respondent”) may have violated RCW 42.17A.205, .235 & .240 by failing to timely register as a candidate within two weeks of declaring candidacy & timely disclose 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:

The Respondent declared candidacy with Elections officials on May 14, 2019 and was due to file a Candidate Registration (C-1 report) with the PDC no later than May 29, 2019. The Respondent filed a C-1 report on December 10, 2019, after the general election and 195 days late. 

On his C-1, the Respondent selected the mini-reporting option whereby a candidate’s campaign is not required 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 his failure to timely file a Candidate Registration was based on a misunderstanding that he was not required to file a C-1 report if his campaign did not receive any contributions. 

Based on these findings, staff determined that, in this instance, the Respondent’s failure to timely register as a candidate 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 register as a candidate 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

Date Opened

November 21, 2019

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.205, RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

• 60336 Hooper Drew Warning Letter.pdf
• 60336 Hooper Drew Complaint.pdf
• 60336 Hooper Drew Response.pdf