ABBOTT LABORATORIES: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.630 for failure to timely disclose Lobbyist Employer’s expenses for calendar year 2018 (Group Enforcement 2020)

Case

#64934

Respondent

ABBOTT LABORATORIES

Complainant

PDC Staff

Description

On February 13, 2020, the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) notified Abbott Laboratories of an alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.630 for failure to timely file the annual Lobbyist Employer’s Expense report (L-3 report) disclosing lobbying activities for calendar year 2018.

The PDC received the annual L-3 report for 2018 on February 19, 2020, as required by RCW 42.17A.630. As a Lobbyist employer, the yearly report is due by the last day of February of each following year, making the report 356 days late. 

Abbott Laboratories completed a Statement of Understanding (SOU) and paid a $100 civil penalty in accordance with WAC 390-37-143 (Brief Enforcement Penalty Schedule), acknowledging a violation of RCW 42.17A.630 for failing to timely file the annual Employer’s Lobbying Expenses report (L-3 report), disclosing lobbying activity in calendar year 2018, due no later than February 28, 2019. The $100 penalty assessed resolves the allegation.

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)(a). The PDC will not conduct a more formal investigation into this allegation or take further enforcement action in this matter.  

Disposition

Resolved through Statement of Understanding (SOU)

Date Opened

February 13, 2020

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.630

Documents

• 64934 Abbott Laboratories Complaint Return Letter w_Statement of Understanding.pdf
• 64934 Abbott Laboratories Hearing Notice .pdf
• 64934 Abbott Laboratories Statement of Understanding.pdf

Penalties