Tutsch, Elisabeth: Alleged Violation of RCW 42.17A.235 & .240 for failure to accurately disclose expenditures (EY20, Oct20)

Case

#79301

Respondent

Elisabeth Tutsch

Complainant

Glen Morgan

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed on October 29, 2020. The complaint alleged that Elisabeth Tutsch, a 2020 judicial candidate, for Yakima County Superior Court, may have violated RCW 42.17A.235 & RCW 42.17A.240 for failure to timely and accurately file Summary Full Campaign Contribution and Expenditure reports (C-4 reports), disclosing expenditures undertaken by the Campaign.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the response provided by Elisabeth Tutsch (the “Respondent”); the applicable PDC reports filed by the Respondent; and queried the Respondent’s data in the PDC contribution and expenditure database, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.

It appears that the late and inaccurate C-4 reports submitted by the Respondent were due to inexperience and general lack of knowledge regarding PDC reporting requirements and not done in an effort the conceal campaign activities from the public. Although the C-4 reports did require edits to descriptions, staff noted that the Respondent responded quickly and worked with PDC Filer Assistance staff to amend the reports, resulting in detailed disclosure of all campaign expenditures.

Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, failure to timely and accurately file complete expenditure descriptions on C-4 reports for the 2020 election does not amount to a finding of a violation that warrants further investigation.

PDC staff is reminding Elisabeth Tutsch about the importance of the timely and accurate disclosure of all expenditure activities, specifically the detailed description required on all future PDC 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

October 29, 2020

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

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