Whatcom County Republican Party: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.405 by exceeding contribution limits during the 2013 election.

Case

#4807

Respondent

Whatcom County Republican Party

Complainant

PDC Staff generated complaint filed PDC Executive Director Evelyn Fielding Lopez

Description

Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) staff investigated a 2013 complaint filed against the Washington State Republican Party in PDC Case 15-074, which alleged the party received monetary contributions from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and Pacific International Terminals, that were earmarked through the Washington State Republican Party to be used for 2013 Whatcom County local candidates. Staff recently completed that investigation, and dismissed the allegations listed in the complaint concerning the earmarking of contributions through the Washington State Republican Party.

While conducting the investigation in PDC Case 15-074, staff reviewed Monetary Contribution reports (C-3 reports) and Campaign Summary Contribution and Expenditures reports (C-4) filed by the Whatcom County Republican Party and discovered some reporting discrepancies concerning its 2013 C-3 and C-4 reports. Based on that information, PDC Executive Director Evelyn Fielding Lopez filed a staff generated complaint alleging that the Whatcom County Republican Party (WCRP) violated RCW 42.17A.405 during the 2013 election cycle by exceeding contribution limits for a political party organization when it received $34,700 in Exempt funds from the Washington State Republican Party without establishing an Exempt funds account, and accounting for those funds separately from other contributions received in accordance with WAC 390-17-060.

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

April 27, 2016

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.405