Berger, Griffin: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.205 for failing to timely file a Candidate Registration (C-1 report) within two weeks of declaring candidacy. (EY '21; Aug '21)

Case

#97624

Respondent

Griffin Berger

Complainant

Ernestine Champeaux

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint you filed on August 17, 2021. The complaint alleged that Griffin Berger, a candidate for Port Commissioner for Port of Skagit in the 2021 primary election, may have violated RCW 42.17A.205 for failure to timely register as a candidate within two weeks of submitting a Declaration of Candidacy.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the response provided by the Respondent; and the applicable PDC reports filed by the Respondent, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.

Griffin Berger was a candidate for Port Commissioner for Port of Skagit in the 2021 election and was required to file the C-1 report by no later than June 4, 2021. Mr. Berger filed a C-1 report fourteen days late and with an incorrect election year. However, it appears that the late and incorrect reporting was due to lack of knowledge of the Respondent and not done to deprive the public of campaign information.

Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, failure to timely file the C-1 report as a 2021 candidate within two weeks of declaring candidacy does not amount to a finding of a violation that warrants further investigation.

PDC staff is reminding Griffin Berger about the importance of the timely registration of his candidate campaign and the timely filings of 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

August 23, 2021

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.205

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