Woock, Jeni: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.555 for use of public resources or facilities for the purposes of supporting or opposing a candidate. (SEPT'23, EY'23)

Case

#142931

Respondent

Jeni Woock

Complainant

Raymond N. Shjerven II

Description

On September 27, 2023, the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) received a complaint alleging that Jeni Woock, an incumbent city council member for the City of Gig Harbor, may have violated RCW 42.17A.555 by using/authorizing the use of City of Gig Harbor resources/facilities to promote/support the candidacy of a 2023 political candidate for city council race in the City of Gig Harbor.   

PDC staff reviewed the allegation(s) contained in the complaint, including the evidence submitted with the complaint and determined that the Respondent used the title of “Jeni Listens,” a regularly scheduled session/platform she associated with her official capacity/office as a City of Gig Harbor council member and used her city email address, to promote a 2023 political candidate. While no city resources were used in the distribution of the September 2023 email or the subsequent gathering, and the Respondent took steps to distinguish the communication, the average recipient of the message might have understandably concluded that the invitation was part of the respondent’s ongoing official city correspondence related to the Respondent official capacity as a sitting city council member. 

Based on staff’s findings, a formal warning was issued to the Respondent in this matter and this matter dismissed by the PDC staff in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1). 

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

October 04, 2023

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.555

Documents

• 142931 Woock Jeni Complaint Response.pdf
• 142931 Woock Jeni Complaint.pdf
• 142931 Jeni Woock Complaint Disposition Letter.pdf