Committee to Hold Elected Officials Accountable: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.255, .260, and .305 for failure to accurately and completely disclose independent expenditures and electioneering communications (EY 20; Oct 20)

Case

#79585

Respondent

Committee to Hold Elected Officials Accountable

Complainant

Josalun Hasz

Description

The complaint alleged the Committee to Hold Elected Officials Accountable (Committee) violated RCW 42.17A.255, .260, and .305 by failing to accurately and completely disclose independent expenditures and electioneering communications.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements;the applicable PDC reports, and the response from Don Benton, treasurer for the Committee to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.

Based on PDC staff findings, and the fact the Committee filed original reports timely and made a good faith effort to comply with the reporting requirements concerning its expenditures, and the public was not deprived of critical information as the dates, amounts, and purposes of the expenditures were disclosed, staff has determined, in this instance, the failure to timely and accurately report expenditure detail does not amount a violation warranting further investigation.

PDC staff is reminding the Committee to Hold Elected Officials Accountable about the importance of filing timely, accurate and complete reports in accordance with PDC laws and rules. PDC staff is also reminding the Committee about the importance of including complete sponsor identification in political advertising.

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

November 04, 2020

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.255, RCW 42.17A.260, RCW 42.17A.305, WAC 390-16-205