Dovey, Jack: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.235 & .240 by failing to timely file report contributions & expenditures. (EY '21; Aug '21)

Case

#97938

Respondent

Jack Dovey

Complainant

Conner Edwards

Description

A complaint was filed against Jack Dovey, a candidate for Federal Way City Council in 2021, alleging the Campaign may have violated RCW 42.17A.235 by failing to file a 7-Day Pre-Primary Summary Full Campaign Contributions and Expenditures report (C-4 report). 

On July 13, 2021, the Campaign timely filed the 21-Day Pre-Primary Election C-4 report disclosing $704.92 in total candidate in-kind contributions had been received during the period.  The in-kind contributions from Mr. Dovey were for stickers to place on old yard signs that were left-over from a prior campaign totaling $423, stickers for the Federal Way Police endorsement to attach to the signs totaling $246, and $35.72 for yard sign stakes.   

On September 2, 2021, the Campaign filed an amended 21-Day Pre-Primary Election C-4 report disclosing the previously reported $704.92 candidate in-kind contributions but included an additional $3,198 for an additional candidate in-kind contribution.  The $3,198 in-kind contribution was received from Mr. Dovey on July 5, 2021, disclosed the description of the in-kind contribution to print and mail 4,000 political advertisements, and listed the vendor as Steve Beren. 

On September 2, 2021, the Campaign filed the 7-Day Pre-Primary Election C-4 report disclosing no contributions had been received or expenditures made during the period. 

In addition, on September 2, 2021, the Campaign filed a C-3 report totaling $770 disclosing four itemized contributions that included a $100 contribution received from an individual, two $75 contributions were received two individuals and listing date of deposit as August 27, 2021.  The C-3 report disclosed a $500 contribution had been received by the Campaign from the Federal Way Police Guild on June 30, 2021, which was held for more than five business days prior to being deposited by the Campaign.  While the $500 contribution from the Guild was deposited and disclosed late, it was not spent by the Campaign on 2021 primary election activities.   

Mr. Dovey stated that for the August 3, 2021, primary election he self-financed his campaign using “100 percent” of his personal funds to pay for Campaign expenditures.  He stated he had some filing issues and found the reports that he thought he had filed, including the 7-Day Pre-Primary Election C-4 report, “were not actually filed as I did not submit them properly.”   He also acknowledged that he did not timely deposit or disclose the $500 contribution he received from the Federal Way Police Guild.

Based on these findings, and the mitigating factors noted above, PDC staff found no evidence of a violation that would require conducting a more formal investigation into the complaint or pursuing any further enforcement action in this instance.   

However, pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), the PDC is issuing a formal written warning to the 2021 Jack Dovey Campaign concerning the lack of timely and accurate filing of reports of contribution and expenditure activities undertaken in accordance with RCW 42.17A.235 and .240.  The formal written warning includes staff’s expectation that the Jack Dovey Campaign will for the remainder of the 2021 election, and for future elections, timely and accurately file PDC reports disclosing contribution and expenditure activities as required by law.  

The 2021 Jack Dovey Campaign will be advised that the Commission will consider this formal written warning in deciding on further Commission action, should there be future violations of PDC laws or rules. The PDC has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).   
 

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

September 01, 2021

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

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