Liias, Marko: Alleged Violation of RCW 42.17A.235, .240 for failure to timely and accurately report contributions, expenditures, and debt. (OCT 2017)

The complaint alleged Marko Liias, an incumbent State Senator and a candidate seeking election to State Treasurer in 2016, may have violated RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 by: (1) failing to timely file Campaign Summary Receipts and Expenditures reports (C-4), and several Monetary Contributions reports (C-3); (2) failing to provide the proper reporting breakdown for a number of expenditures made by the campaign, including more than $70,000 in media advertising; (3) failing to report debts and obligations; and (4) violations of RCW 42.17A.700 and .710 for failing to accurately file and amend the Personal Financial Affairs Statement (F-1).

Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(b), Marco Liias will receive a formal written warning concerning errors on the F-1 report and several of the C-4 reports filed for the 2016 election, including the sub-vendor breakdown and details of certain expenditures. Upon notification of these errors, Senator Liias amended his F-1 report, and the Liias Campaign timely amended three C-4 reports making the necessary technical corrections to the C-4 reports covering the period of August 2016, December 2016 and January 2017 providing additional expenditure information.  

The formal written warning will include staff’s expectation that Marco Liias will amend C-4 report 100707756, filed July 12, 2016, to provide additional information on the expenditures for t-shirts, stickers/signs and postcards and file timely and complete reports in future years in accordance with PDC laws and rules.

The Commission will consider the formal written warning in deciding on further Commission action if there are future violations of PDC laws or rules, or if he fails to file the requested amended reports.

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).