Retain Sheriff Hatcher: Alleged Violation of RCW 42.17A.205, .235 and .240 for failure to timely register the committee and failure to timely and accurately disclose contributions and expenditures (EY 21, Jan 21)

Case

#83824

Respondent

Retain Sheriff Hatcher Committee

Complainant

Kathlen Wierschke

Description

The complaint alleged Retain Sheriff Hatcher (Committee) violated 42.17A.205 by failing to timely register the committee and RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 by failing to timely and accurately disclose contributions and expenditures.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the materials provided; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the relevant PDC reports; and the response from Patrick Bauguess, Treasurer for Retain Sheriff Hatcher (Committee), to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations. 

Based on staff’s findings, and the fact the recall has not been set for an election, and thus the public has not been deprived of important information at a critical juncture, staff has determined in this instance, the Committee’s failure to timely register and disclose contributions and expenditures does not amount to a finding of a violation that warrants further investigation. 

However, pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), Retain Sheriff Hatcher will receive a formal written warning concerning the failure to timely register, and file and report contributions and expenditures. The formal written warning includes staff’s expectation the Committee will, in the future, timely and accurately file PDC reports and disclose contributions and expenditures as required by law.

The Commission will consider the formal written warning in deciding on future Commission action if there are future violations of PDC laws or 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 Written Warning

Date Opened

January 15, 2021

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.205, RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

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