Nicholas Force: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.235 & .240 for failure to timely and accurately disclose expenditures on reports (EY24 OCT24)

Case

#161578

Respondent

Nicholas A. Force

Complainant

Conner Edwards

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) completed its review of the complaint filed by Conner Edwards on October 30, 2024. The complaints alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.235 & .240 for failure to timely and accurately file expenditure reports.

Applicable Laws & Rules

  • RCW 42.17A.235 describes the required filing deadlines for disclosure of campaign finance activities including monetary contributions.
  • RCW 42.17A.240 describes the required contents of campaign finance reports filed with the Public Disclosure Commission.  

Background & Findings 

  • Nicholas Force a candidate for District Court Judge in the 2024 general election under the Full Reporting option. 
  • The complaint alleges failure to timely file the 7-day pre-general C-4 (expenditure) Report. 
  • The Respondent filed the 7-day pre-general C-4 (expenditure) Report two days late, but failed to include required expenditure detail for political advertising and did not file C-3 (contribution) Reports disclosing personal funds contributed by the candidate.
  • The Respondent did not win the election and does not have any previous violations of PDC requirements.

Summary and Resolution

You completed a Statement of Understanding (SOU) in accordance with WAC 390-37-143 (Brief Enforcement Penalty Schedule), acknowledging violations of RCW 42.17A.235 and RCW 42.17A.240 for failing to file timely C-4 (expenditure) Reports during the 2024 election year. The completed Statement of Understanding resolves the allegations listed in this case.  

Based on the guidance provided to PDC staff by the Commission at its January 23, 2025, meeting, this matter is being resolved with a warning in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1) and WAC 390-37-060(1)(d) due to current caseloads.  

Any allegations regarding reporting by you for the 2024 campaign that are not otherwise addressed are also hereby dismissed.    

PDC staff advise you to bring your reports into compliance. You are required to comply with all PDC requirements in the future. Failure to do so could lead to further enforcement action.    

Based on this information, the PDC has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).

 

Disposition

Resolved through Statement of Understanding (SOU)

Date Opened

October 31, 2024

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

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