Knezovich, Ozzie: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.555 for misuse of public resources & RCW 42.17A.635(2) for indirect lobbying. (EY '22, March '22)

Case

#105472

Respondent

Ozzie Knezovich

Complainant

James Paul Dillon

Description

A hearing was held on January 26, 2023, regarding Respondent Ozzie Knezovich's request for reconsideration of the Presiding Officer's Order entered on December 15, 2022, following a Brief Enforcement Hearing (Brief Adjudicative Proceeding) on November 17, 2022, in this matter.

The hearing was held in accordance with Chapters 34.05 RCW, 42.17A RCW and Chapter 390-37 WAC.  Commissioners present both telephonically and online were Fred Jarrett, Commission Chair (presiding); Nancy Isserlis, Commission Vice-Chair (recused and did not participate); and Commissioners William Downing and Allen Hayward. Also present both telephonically and online were Assistant Attorney General John S. Meader representing the Commission, Assistant Attorney General Susie Giles-Klein representing PDC Staff, and Jennifer Hansen, PDC Compliance Officer. Notice was provided to the Respondent and he appeared on his own behalf.

This Order on Reconsideration will be the Final Order. After consideration of the mitigating and aggravating factors, the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, the Initial Hearing Order assessing a $300 civil penalty, with $100 suspended, is MODIFIED as follows:

1. Respondent Ozzie Knezovich is assessed a total civil penalty of $300, with $100 suspended for violation of RCW 42.17A.555. Payment of the $200 non-suspended portion of the penalty is due within 30 days of the date of this order. The remaining $100 civil penalty is suspended on the following conditions: 

a. The Respondent remains in full compliance with all PDC reporting requirements and is not found to have committed any further violations of Chapter 42.17A RCW or Title 390 WAC within four years of the date of this Final Order. The suspended penalty shall not be assessed based solely upon any remediable violation, minor violation, or error classified by the Commission as appropriate to address by a technical correction.

b. The Respondent signs a Statement of Understanding (SOU) acknowledging violation of RCW 42.17A.555 and pays the $200 non-suspended civil penalty within 30 days of the date of this Order. 

2. If the Respondent fails to comply with any of the above conditions the suspended civil penalty of $100 penalty will immediately become due without further action by the Commission.

3. The finding in the Initial Order that the Respondent violated RCW 42.17A.635(2) is VACATED. 
 

Disposition

Violation Found by Commission

Date Opened

March 15, 2022

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.555

Documents

• 105472 Initial Hearing Results - Complainant.pdf
• 105472 Knezovich Ozzie Order.pdf
• 105472 Knezovich Ozzie Memorandum - Brief.pdf
• 105472 Knezovich, Ozzie Complaint.pdf
• 105472 Knezovich Ozzie Response.pdf
• 105472 Knezovich Ozzie Complaint Supplement.pdf
• 105472 Knezovich Ozzie Supplement Response.pdf
• 105472 Knezovich Ozzie Reconsideration Hrg Notice.pdf
• 105472 Knezovich Ozzie Reconsideration Memo.pdf
• 105472 Knezovich Ozzie BAP Hearing Notice.pdf
• 105472 Knezovich Ozzie Recon Final Order.pdf
• 105472 Initial Hearing Results - Respondent.pdf

Penalties