Forest Hofer: Alleged Violations of RCW 42.17A.235, .240 for failure to timely and accurately disclose contributions & expenditures on reports (EY24 SEP24)

Case

#159737

Respondent

Forest Hofer

Complainant

Conner Edwards

Description

• The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint you filed on September 11, 2024. The complaint alleged that Forest Hofer, a candidate for county commissioner, may have violated RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failure to timely and accurately file Cash Receipts Monetary Contributions reports (C-3 reports) and Campaign Summary Receipts & Expenditures reports (C-4 reports), disclosing contributions and expenditures undertaken by the campaign. 

PDC staff reviewed the allegations and evidence you submitted; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the applicable PDC reports filed by the Respondent; the Respondent’s data in the PDC contribution and expenditure database; and other relevant information, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations. 

Applicable Laws & Rules 

• WAC 390-16-037 (2) Whenever an expenditure is made to a candidate or a political committee pursuant to an agreement or understanding of any kind regarding how the recipient will use the expenditure, the report must describe in detail that agreement or understanding and the goods and/or services to be provided. 
• RCW 42.17A.235 describes the required filing deadlines for disclosure of campaign finance activities including monetary contributions. 
• • RCW 42.17A.240 requires committees to file accurate campaign finance reports with the Public Disclosure Commission. 

 Background & Findings  

 Based on staff’s review, we found the following:

• Forest Hofer filed a Candidate Registration (C-1) under the Full Reporting option. 
• The complaint alleged failure to timely file the post-primary C-4 (expenditure) Reports and lacking required expenditure detail.  
• The Respondent updated their reports to include required expenditure detail. 
• Forest Hofer filed the post-primary report one month after the deadline. 
• The candidate did not advance to the general election. 
• The Respondent does not have previous warnings or violations of PDC requirements. 

 Summary and Resolution 

Based on our findings, staff has determined that, in this instance, failing to provide required expenditure detail and failure to timely file the post primary C-4 Report amount to a violation that warrants further investigation. 

 Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), however, Forest Hofer will receive a formal written warning concerning failure to timely disclose expenditures and expenditure detail. The formal written warning will include staff’s expectation that Forest Hofer timely files all future required reports of contributions and expenditures. The Commission will consider the formal written warning in deciding on further Commission action if there are future violations of PDC laws or 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 Written Warning

Date Opened

September 26, 2024

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

• 159737 Forest Hofer Resolution Letter Respondent.pdf
• 159737 Forest Hofer Complaint.pdf