Waite, Michael - Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.430(8) and .240(8) by using campaign funds to pay entry fees to campaign events of party organizations and candidates, and by failing to report debt accurately and timely.

The complaint alleged that Michael Waite, a candidate for Washington State Treasurer in 2016, may have violated: (1) RCW 42.17A.235 and .240  by failing to disclose debts and obligation incurred by his campaign on Summary Full Report of Contributions and Expenditures (C-4 report); and (2) RCW 42.17A.430(8) by using campaign funds to make expenditures to attend 2016 political party organization and candidate events to campaign for statewide office, and a portion of the expenditure resulted in contributions being received by the party organizations or candidates. 

Mr. Waite was a first-time candidate for public office in 2016 who ran for a statewide partisan office, and he was clearly campaigning at each of the political party organization and candidate events that he attended, soliciting endorsements from the sponsoring organizations and candidates, and support, contributions and votes from those in attendance.  He and his Campaign made a good faith effort to contact the political party organizations and candidates concerning this matter in an attempt to ascertain the costs of hosting those events.  He contributed $32,068 in personal funds and candidate loans to his 2016 Campaign for State Treasurer, and took corrective action by reimbursing his Campaign $534 for the portion of funds received by the political party organizations and by the candidates as contributions that were in excess of the costs to host each event.  

The PDC has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1), and reminded Mr. Waite about the importance of complying with the statutes, rules and reporting requirements, should he declare his candidacy for a future election.