Commission issues $10,000 in fines for Kennewick Public Facilities District board members  

The Commission heard four enforcement cases involving late or missing Personal Financial Affairs (F-1) reports. Officials in each of the four cases had previous violations on record.  

In each case, PDC staff sent multiple emails and other communications in an attempt to make filers aware of their most recent missing reports. 

In PDC Case 80222, the Commission voted to fine Jeff Jernigan, fire commissioner for the West Thurston Regional Fire Authority since 2013, $3,000 in addition to penalties previously assessed for missing F-1 reports. But the $3,000 was suspended, provided that Jernigan files reports for calendar years 2015 through 2018 within 30 days and pays penalties related to previous missing reports totaling $4,000 within 120 days. 

New Commission chair for 2021 

Fred Jarrett presided over his first Commission meeting as chair. Jarrett joined the Commission in 2019, following a long career of public service as Mercer Island mayor, state senator and representative and senior deputy county executive in King County.  

Spokane attorney Nancy Isserlis, who joined the PDC in 2020, is the Commission’s new vice chair. 

Rules for Personal Financial Affairs (F-1) statements 

The Commission voted to adopt permanent rules governing requirements for the Personal Financial Affairs (F-1) statements required from elected and appointed officials.  

New Commission Chair and Vice Chair 

The Commission chose Fred Jarrett as its new chair to replace David Ammons, who presided over his final meeting. 

Nancy Isserlis, a Spokane attorney who joined the Commission in 2020, replaces Jarrett as vice chair of the Commission. 

Jarrett joined the PDC in 2019, following a decades-long career of public service as Mercer Island mayor, state senator and representative and Senior deputy county executive in King County. He also had a 35-year career at the Boeing Co. 

Commissioners and PDC staff members thanked Ammons for his dedication to the PDC. 

Jarrett praised Ammons’ ability to build relationships with both PDC staff members and citizens. 

“The respect he treats them with allows them to be the best they can be,” Jarrett said. 

Commission adopts focus areas to meet strategic plan  

The Commission approved five major focus areas for the agency as it works toward the values outlined in the PDC’s strategic plan.  

Commission Chairman David Ammons said the five projects align with the PDC’s mission of promoting confidence in the political process. 

The five areas of focus are: 

PDC levies fine against Joshua Freed for violation of campaign loan rules 

The Public Disclosure Commission voted unanimously to fine former Bothell Mayor Joshua Freed $50,000 – with half the penalty suspended – for campaign violations related to personal loans to his unsuccessful 2020 campaign for governor. 

Freed acknowledged in a stipulation negotiated with PDC staff that he exceeded the $6,000 limit on repayment of a personal loan to his campaign. The campaign repaid him at least $450,000 of a $500,000 loan —  later characterized as a contribution – he made at the start of his campaign. He also acknowledged that the campaign filed incorrect reports concerning the contribution and/or loan.