WASHINGTON DENTURIST Political Action Committee: Alleged Violations of RCW 42.17A.235, .240 for failure to timely and accurately disclose contributions & expenditures on reports (EY22-24 SEP24)

Case

#159774

Respondent

WASHINGTON DENTURIST Political Action Committee

Complainant

Conner Edwards

Description

PDC staff reviewed the allegations and evidence you submitted; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the response(s) provided by the Washington Denturist Political Action Committee (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.
Background & Findings
 

Based on staff’s review, we found the following:
•The Respondent registered as a political committee with the PDC in 2010 with the most recent amendedPolitical Committee Registration (C-1pc) submitted on February 8, 2021. The Respondent registered as aContinuing Committee under the Full Reporting option. The committee Manager and Treasurer is CrystalVanderYacht.
•The Respondent filed Receipts & Expenditure Summary (C-4) reports showing aggregate sums forexpenditures in months throughout 2022 but did not itemize the expenditures. This error occurred whenthe Respondent filed the C-4 reports early, before they entered the itemized monetary expenditures foreach month, and then failed to submit the additional expenditures amending the original report. Afterreceiving the complaint, the Respondent worked with PDC staff to correct the reporting errors. Theoriginal reported expenditures for 2022 were $1,036 and once corrected on November 21, 2024, the totalincreased to $12,036 mostly in contributions made to candidates in the 2022 election. The expendituresto candidates in 2022 were reported by the candidates, as contributions, on their Cash Receipts, MonetaryContributions (C-3) reports.
• On November 7, 2023, the Respondent made $500 contributions to the House Democratic Campaign Committee, Senate Republican Campaign Committee, and the Washington Senate Democratic Campaign Committee. Reports in 2023 were also filed early and then not amended to reflect itemized expenditures. The original reported expenditures for 2023 were $30 and once corrected on November 19, 2024, the total increased to $1,533. The expenditures made to the committees in 2023 were reported by the committees, as contributions, on their C-3 reports.
• In 2024, Jessica Bateman reported, on a C-3 report, a $500 contribution from the Respondent. PDC staff determined the contribution made to Ms. Bateman’s Senate campaign was the result of surplus funds transferred from her House campaign. The transfer was with permission from the Respondent. The original contribution, from the Respondent, occurred in 2022 and was reported by the candidate on a C-3 report. The expenditure by the Respondent was reported on November 21, 2024, on amended C-4 #110260875.
• In 2024, Kevin Van De Wege reported, on a C-3 report, a $500 contribution from the Respondent. PDC staff determined the contribution made to Mr. Van De Wege’s Public Lands Commissioner campaign was the result of surplus funds transferred his Senate campaign. The transfer was with permission from the Respondent. The original contribution, from the Respondent, occurred in 2020 and was reported by the candidate on a C-3 report. The expenditure by the Respondent was also reported in 2020 on C-4 #110003702.
• A mitigating factor in this case is that all the expenditures made by the Respondent were reported in the year received as a contribution by the recipients.
• The Respondent does not have previous warnings or violations of PDC requirements.
 

Summary and Resolution
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).
 

Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), however, the Washington Denturist Political Action Committee will receive a formal written warning concerning their failure to timely disclose all contributions and expenditures. The formal written warning will include staff’s expectation that the Washington Denturist Political Action Committee timely file 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.

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

September 26, 2024

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

• 159774 Washington Denturist PAC Complaint.pdf
• 159774 Washington Denturist PAC Complaint Return Letter (combined).pdf