Jeffrey Brittig Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.255 for failing to report an independent expenditure & RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to include required sponsor ID. (EY '21; October '21)

Case

#99783

Respondent

Jeffrey Brittig

Complainant

Clint Volk

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed on October 14, 2021. The complaint alleged that Jeffrey Brittig, an individual sponsor of political advertisement, may have violated RCW 42.17A.255 for failure to timely file an Independent Expenditure report (C-6 report) disclosing an independent expenditure advertisement mailer in opposition to the Fire District #6 Proposition for Property Tax Levy Lid Lift on the November 2, 2021, general election ballot.

After reviewing the contents of the advertisement, PDC staff added an alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to include complete sponsor identification on the mailer.

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

Prior to the September 27, 2021 mailer, the Respondent had not engaged in political advertisement or independent expenditure activity and was unaware of the potential filing obligations and sponsor identification requirements until notified by staff. It appears that the late C-6 report and incomplete sponsor identification were due to this limited knowledge and not done intentionally to mislead the public.

Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(f), the PDC received a completed Statement of Understanding (SOU) on January 3, 2023, from Jeffrey Brittig acknowledging a violation of RCW 42.17A.320 for failing to include the required sponsor identification on political advertisement and RCW 42.17A.255 for failing to timely file a C-6 report disclosing and independent expenditure. Mr. Brittig paid a $150 civil penalty in accordance with WAC 390-37-143 (Brief Enforcement Penalty Schedule), which resolves the issue. 

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

Resolved through Statement of Understanding

Date Opened

October 19, 2021

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.255

Documents

• 99783 Union Citizens Alliance Response.pdf
• 99783 Union Citizens Alliance Complaint.pdf
• 99783 Initial Hearing Results - Respondent.pdf
• 99783 Initial Hearing Results - Complainant.pdf
• 99783 Jeffrey Brittig (Union Cit Alliance) Supplemental Response.pdf
• 99783 Brittig Jeffrey Complaint Return - Respondent.pdf

Penalties