Harris, Joshua: Alleged Violation of RCW 42.17A.700 for failure to timely file the Personal Financial Affairs Statement (F-1 report) within two weeks of becoming a candidate (EY22, June22)

Case

#108988

Respondent

Joshua Harris

Complainant

Arthur "Dave" Churchman

Description

Pursuant to the brief enforcement hearing (brief adjudicative proceeding) notice sent to Joshua Harris dated June 22, 2022, a brief adjudicative proceeding was held July 11, 2022, remotely from Olympia, WA by live audio and online transmission, to consider whether the Respondent violated RCW 42.17A.700 by failing to timely file a Personal Financial Affairs Statement (F-1 report), which was due to be filed within two weeks of candidacy, disclosing personal financial information for the preceding twelve months.

The hearing was held in accordance with Chapters 34.05 RCW, 42.17A RCW and Chapter 390-37 WAC.  Commission Chair Fred Jarrett was the Presiding Officer and Commissioner Nancy Isserlis attended. The Commission staff was represented by Compliance Coordinators Tabatha Blacksmith and Jordan Campbell, and Compliance Officers Jennifer Hansen and Alice Fiman. The Respondent did not participate in the hearing or submit any written material.

Having considered the evidence, the Presiding Officer finds as follows:

FINDINGS OF FACT

1. The Respondent is a candidate for Pierce County Council.
2. The Respondent was required to file an F-1 report by April 1, 2022.
3. The Respondent did not file the F-1 report by the date of the enforcement hearing.
4. The Respondent has no prior violations.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

Based on the above facts, as a matter of law, the Presiding Officer concludes as follows:

1. This matter was duly and properly convened, and all jurisdictional, substantive, and procedural requirements have been satisfied.
2. The Respondent violated RCW 42.17A.700 by failing to timely file the F-1 report by April 1, 2022.

ORDER

ON the basis of the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Joshua Harris is assessed a total civil penalty of $250, in accordance with the candidate F-1 penalty schedule set forth in WAC 390-37-143, of which $125 is suspended. 

It is further ordered that the Respondent: 

1. File the missing F-1 report within 30 days of the date of this Order.
2. Pay the $125 civil penalty within 30 days of the date of this Order. If the Respondent fails to pay within 30 days, PDC staff is directed to refer the matter to collections. 

It is further ordered that $125 of the $250 civil penalty is suspended upon the following conditions:

1. Joshua (Josh) Harris 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 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. 
2. The missing F-1 report is filed within 30 days of the date of this Order. If Joshua (Josh) Harris fails to file the report within 30 days, the suspended portion of the penalty shall immediately become due without further action by the Commission and PDC is directed to refer the matter to collections.
3. The non-suspended portion of the penalty ($125) is paid by Joshua (Josh) Harris within 30 days of the date of this Order. If Joshua (Josh) Harris fails to pay the non-suspended penalty within 30 days, the full penalty amount shall immediately become due without further action by the Commission and PDC staff is directed to refer the matter to collections.

This is an Initial Order of the Public Disclosure Commission.  

Entered this 27 of July 2022.

Disposition

Violation Found by Commission

Date Opened

June 02, 2022

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.700

Documents

• PDC Case 108988 Joshua Harris Order Imposing Fine.pdf
• PDC Case 108988 Joshua Harris Hearing notice.pdf
• 108988 Harris Joshua Complaint.pdf
• PDC Case 108988 Joshua Harris response.pdf

Penalties