Cowlitz County Democrats PAC: Alleged violation RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failure to report contributions and expenditures (OCT24 EY24)

Case

#162592

Respondent

Cowlitz County Democrats PAC

Complainant

Glen Morgan, Conner Edwards

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) completed its review of the complaints filed by Gen Morgan and Conner Edwards on October 15, 2024, and January 15, 2025. The complaints alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.235 and RCW 42.17A.240 for failure to timely and accurately report expenditures.
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 requires committees to file accurate campaign finance reports with the Public Disclosure Commission.

Background & Findings

• On October 15, 2024, Glen Morgan filed a complaint against the respondent alleging failure to disclose complete vendor details on in-kind contributions. 
• After having been informed of the complaint, the Respondent amended their reporting to include complete information. These amendments did not alter the amount spent by the committee during the 2024 election.
• On January 15, 2024, Conner Edwards filed an additional complaint regarding the Respondent reporting late on the committee’s exempt account and failing to provide complete expenditure details on the committee’s non-exempt account.
• The exempt account did file several late C-4 reports on January 5, 2025, 10 days prior to the complaint being filed. These C-4 reports covered January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024.
• The total amount disclosed on these late filed C-4s for the exempt account amounted to $2,017.
• The committee amended reports on the non-exempt account to include required expenditure detail.

Summary and Resolution

Having reviewed the complaint and the supporting evidence, PDC staff has determined that the committee appears to have violated RCW 42.17A. Based on the guidance provided to PDC staff by the Commission at its January 23, 2025, meeting, this matter is being dismissed in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1) due to current caseloads. 

Any allegations regarding reporting by this committee for calendar year 2024 that are not otherwise addressed are also hereby dismissed.

You are required to comply with all PDC requirements in the future. Failure to do so could lead to further enforcement action.
 

Disposition

Dismissed by Executive Director

Date Opened

November 20, 2024

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

• 162592 Cowlitz Democrats Central Committee Supplemental Complaint.pdf
• 162592 Cowlitz County Democrats PAC Resolution Letter.pdf
• 162592 Cowlitz County Democrats PAC Complaint.pdf
• 162592 Cowlitz County Democrats PAC Response.pdf