Philip Johnson: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.430 and .445 for improper disposal of surplus funds for personal purposes (EY24 OCT24)

Case

#160692

Respondent

Philip Johnson

Complainant

Drew Stokesbary

Description

On October 3, 2024, the PDC received a complaint alleging that the Respondent, Philip Johnson, a 2024 candidate for State Representative in the 18th Legislative District, Position 2, may have violated RCW 42.17A.430 for improper disposal of surplus funds and RCW 42.17A.445 for unauthorized personal use of campaign funds.

Staff found that the Respondent in this matter used his campaign funds to purchase political advertising using funds left over from his primary race for state representative in the 2024 primary election cycle. Specifically, the Respondent used his dedicated campaign debit card to use leftover monies from his unsuccessful primary campaign to purchase two newspaper advertisements not related to his campaign for a total of $1,300 for two ads that were placed in the September 18 and 25 editions of The Reflector, a local newspaper in Battleground, Washington.

Based on the findings, staff issued a formal warning to the Respondent and dismissed the matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

October 17, 2024

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.430, RCW 42.17A.445