Pooneh Gray: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.335 for sponsoring political advertising containing a false statement of material fact about a candidate for public office (EY25 OCT25)

Case

#180111

Respondent

Pooneh Gray

Complainant

Anthony Vendetti

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) completed its review of the complaint filed by Anthony Vendetti on October 13, 2025. The complaint alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.335 for sponsoring advertising containing a false statement of material fact about a candidate for public office.

RCW 42.17A.335(1) states, in part, “It is a violation of this chapter for a person to sponsor with actual malice a statement constituting libel or defamation per se under the following circumstances: (a) Political advertising or an electioneering communication that contains a false statement of material fact about a candidate for public office...”

RCW 42.17A.005(1) states, "Actual malice" means to act with knowledge of falsity or with reckless disregard as to truth or falsity.

The statement at issue here does not meet the actual malice standard. Whether a conflict existed and was adequately declared is subject to individual interpretation, and is not constrained by a reading of the jurisdiction’s ethics rules alone.   

Based on these findings, PDC staff have determined the Respondent’s social media post sharing their opinion does not warrant further investigation by the PDC. The PDC has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).

Disposition

Case Closed with No Evidence of Violations

Date Opened

October 15, 2025

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.335

Documents

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