Mike Ormsby, Spokane City Attorney

Spokane Fire Department and City of Spokane - Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.555 use of facilities for campaigning; and 42.17A.495 failure to obtain authorization to withhold wages for contributions (October 2016)

Case Details

Case Number

9062

Respondent

Mike Ormsby, Spokane City Attorney

Complainant

Gretchen McDevitt

Date Opened

October 20, 2016

Case Status

Case Closed with Reminder

PDC staff dismissed for no violation, but reminded the respondent of the applicable law and to exercise caution in the future.

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Area(s) of Law*

  • RCW 29B.45.010/42.17A.555
  • RCW 29B.40.230/42.17A.495

*On January 1, 2026, RCW 42.17A was recodified to RCW 29B

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Description

The complaint alleges that Spokane Fire Department officials may have allowed Spokane Firefighters Union PAC to use City of Spokane Fire Department equipment in a political advertisement, in violation of RCW 42.17A.555.  The complaint also alleges that the City of Spokane has been withholding funds from employees' wages that the Spokane Firefighters Union, Local 29, has passed on to its two political committees, Spokane Firefighters Union PAC and Safest City Spokane, without first obtaining written authorizations from the employees, in violation of RCW 42.17A.495.

Documents

Penalties

None