Anderson, Mary C: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failure to timely and accurately file contribution and expense reports (JUL'23, EY'23)

Case

#140168

Respondent

Mary C. Anderson and Committee to Elect Mary Anderson

Complainant

Mary Ann Ottinger

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed on July 20, 2023. The complaint alleged that Mary C. Anderson, a candidate for Snohomish County Superior Court in the 2023 election, may have violated RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failure to timely and accurately file Monetary Contribution reports (C-3 reports) and Summary Full Campaign Contribution and Expenditure reports (C-4 reports), disclosing contributions and expenditures undertaken by the Campaign.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the response provided by Ministerial Treasurer, Jaclynn Simmons of behalf of the Respondent; the applicable PDC reports filed by the Respondent; queried the Respondent’s data in the PDC contribution and expenditure database; and other relevant information, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.

Mary C. Anderson was a first-time candidate for elected office. It appears that the late reporting of in-kind contributions and expenditures experienced by the 2023 Anderson Campaign was due to unintentional oversight and not purposely omitted to conceal campaign activity from the public. The Respondent has stated a commitment to future compliance.

Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, failure to timely and accurately file May 2023 and 21-day pre-primary C-4 reports for the 2023 Anderson Campaign disclosing all required campaign activity does not amount to a finding of a violation that warrants further investigation.

Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), however, Mary C. Anderson will receive a formal written warning concerning failure to timely disclose all contribution and expenditures for the 2023 campaign. The formal written warning will include staff’s expectation that Ms. Anderson timely files all future required reports of contributions and expenditures disclosing all campaign activity so it is readily available to the public. The Commission will consider the formal written warning in deciding on further Commission action if there are future violations of PDC laws or rules.

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).

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

July 26, 2023

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

• 140168 Anderson Mary C Response.pdf
• 140168 Anderson Mary C Complaint.pdf
• 140168 Anderson Mary C Warning - Respondent.pdf