Turn Washington: Alleged Violation of RCW 42.17A.320, .335 for failure to disclose full sponsor identification and false statement of incumbency in political advertising (EY20, Nov20)

Case

#79581

Respondent

Turn Washington

Complainant

Judith Smriga

Description

The complaint alleged TURN Washington, an entity registered as a political committee in 2019 with the PDC, violated: (1) RCW 42.17A.320 by failing to include the complete sponsor identification for political advertising in support or opposition to any candidate or ballot proposition in Washington state; and (2) RCW 42.17A.335 for sponsoring political advertising that contained a false claim of incumbency in political advertising. 

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements;the applicable PDC reports, and the response from Kelly Payne, former Committee member of TURN Washington, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.

Based on the findings, and the facts the advertising was clearly sponsored by the Committee and no evidence was found of any intent to conceal true sponsorship, staff has determined, in this instance, the failure to include sponsor identification does not amount a violation warranting further investigation.

PDC staff is reminding TURN Washington about the importance of identifying the sponsor's name and address on any future political advertisements in accordance with PDC laws and rules.

Based on this information, the PDC finds 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

November 04, 2020

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.320, RCW 42.17A.335

Documents

• 79581 Turn Washington Complaint.pdf
• PDC Case 79581 Turn Washington response.pdf
• PDC Case 79581 Turn Washington close with reminder.pdf