Brown, Sharon Raye: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.710 for failure to fully report assets and debt on Personal Statement of Financial Affairs for reporting years 2015-2019. (Jul 20)

Case

#73017

Respondent

Sharon Raye Brown:

Complainant

John Harland Trumbo; and Lillian "Randy" Slovic

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaints filed by John Trumbo on July 2, 2020 and by Lillian “Randy” Slovic on July 15, 2020. As both complaints alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.710, PDC staff combined the complaints and investigated the allegations under PDC Case 73017. The complaints alleged that Sharon Raye Brown, a Senator in Legislative District 8, may have violated: (1) RCW 42.17A.710 for failure to fully report assets on Personal Statement of Financial Affairs (F-1 reports) for calendar years 2015 to 2019; and (2) RCW 42.17A.710 for failure to report debt on F-1 reports for calendar years 2015 to 2018.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the response(s) provided by Mark Lamb, Attorney with The North Creek Law Firm on behalf of Sharon Raye Brown (the “Respondent”); the applicable PDC reports filed by the Respondent; and the Order issued by the Commission granting the Respondent’s request for a retroactive reporting modification, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.

During the review of Ms. Slovic’s complaint, staff referred to the requirements in RCW 42.17A.710(1)(c), the definition of the term “debt” in WAC 390-24-110, and the response provided by the Respondent. Based on this review. staff did not find that Sen. Brown was required to disclose the debt on her previously submitted F-1 reports.

Although Sen. Brown was required to either include reportable financial interests of her former spouse’s business or timely request a modification to these reporting requirements, the Commission granted her retroactive reporting modification request, therefore relieving her of the obligation of full disclosure under chapter 42.17A RCW.

Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, failure to accurately file F-1 report covering calendar years 2015, 2016 and 2017 or timely submit a request to modify the required filing obligations, does not amount to a finding of a violation that warrants further investigation.

PDC staff reminded Sen. Brown about the importance of the timely and complete disclosure of all personal financial information and the timely filings of all future PDC F-1 reports in accordance with the statutes and rules.

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).

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

July 08, 2020

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.710

Documents

• 73017 Brown Sharon Complaint 2.pdf
• 73017 Brown Sharon Complaint.pdf
• 73017 Brown Sharon Raye Supplemental Response.pdf
• 73017 Brown Sharon Raye Reminder Letter.pdf
• 73017 Brown Sharon Raye Response.pdf