CIT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY BELFAIR Sponsored by Belfair Firefighters Association: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failure to timely report contributions and expenditures (EY24 NOV24)

Case

#164401

Respondent

Citizens for Public Safety Belfair

Complainant

Conner Edwards

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) completed its review of the complaint filed by Conner Edwards on August 15, 2024. The complaint 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 

• Cit for Public Safety Belfair Sponsored by Belfair Firefighters Association is political action committee participating in the 2024 election under the Full Reporting option.
• The complaint alleged cash on hand balance discrepancies throughout calendar years and failure to disclose require expenditure detail for political ads. 
• The Respondent has been registered with the PDC as a continuing political action committee since 2013. 
• After being notified of the complaint the Respondent contacted PDC staff and requested the continuing committee be ended in October of 2025. The Respondent told PDC staff that the committee was dormant during off years and does not raise funds or make expenditures between levies.
• PDC staff have encouraged the Respondent to file as a single election for future campaigns
• The  PDC strongly encourages the Respondent to amend the report to accurately disclose the cash on hand balance, and expenditure detail for political advertising.

Summary and Resolution

Based on our findings, staff has determined that, in this instance, any violation that may have occurred was minor and has been cured. After consideration of the circumstances, further proceedings would not serve the purposes of this chapter. Under WAC 390-37-060, the executive director, at any time prior to consideration by the commission, may dismiss a complaint which on its face, or as shown by investigation, provides reason to believe that a violation has occurred, but also shows that the respondent is in substantial compliance with the relevant statutes or rules, or shows that formal enforcement action is not warranted. Failure to accurately disclose carryforward funds between calendar years and failure to include required expenditure detail does not amount to a violation that warrants further investigation in this specific instance.

 Having reviewed the complaint and the supporting evidence, PDC staff has determined that the candidate 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 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.   

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

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

December 31, 2024

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

• 164401 Citizens for Public Safety Belfair Response.pdf
• 164401 Citizens for Public Safety Belfair Complaint.pdf
• 164401 Cit for Public Safety Beflair Sponsered by Belfair Firefighters Association Resolution Letter.pdf