The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed on December 9, 2019. The complaint alleged that Roy Keck, a Port Commissioner for the Port of Benton may have violated RCW 42.17A.495 for discrimination based on failure to support or oppose a candidate for elected office and (2) RCW 42.17A.555 for misuse of public facilities.
PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, and rules; and the response provided by the Respondent, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.
By all accounts given in the Summary of Investigative Findings and review of commission meetings from May 2019 to December 2019, it is apparent that there were numerous changes within the Port of Benton, including staffing changes, policy and procedure updates, and training at all levels of personnel. Although these changes appear to have created a difficult and stressful work environment, most of the evidence of possible violations fell outside of PDC laws or rules.
Based on our findings staff has determined that 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 WAC 390-37-070.
Disposition: Case Closed with No Evidence of Violations (Resolved 05/07/2020)