Nadler, Ed: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to include sufficient sponsor id on campaign advertising. (EY23, NOV23)

Case

#144761

Respondent

Ed Nadler

Complainant

Kara Aley

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed on November 4, 2023. The complaint alleged that Ed Nadler, a candidate for City Council for the City of Gig Harbor in the 2023 election, may have violated RCW 42.17A.320 for failure to include complete sponsor identification on political advertisement.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; the response provided by the Respondent; and other relevant information, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.

It appears that the omission of an address in the sponsor identification on the mailer was unintentional and not done to purposely conceal the sponsor information from the public. Staff noted that although the address on the mailer was legally required, Mr. Nadler’s surname is unique as a filer in PDC reports, making the public’s potential research for his campaign on the PDC website simple even without the campaign address. Regarding the lack of sponsor identification on the yard signs, staff found that since the Respondent confirmed that the signs were less than 4’ x 8’ in size, they were exempt from sponsor ID according to WAC 390-18-030. 

Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, failure to include complete sponsor identification on a mailer paid for by the candidate, does not amount to a finding of a violation that warrants further investigation.

Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), however, Ed Nadler will receive a formal written warning concerning failure to include complete sponsor identification on a written political advertisement. The formal written warning will include staff’s expectation that Mr. Nadler will review all written political advertisements done in the future to ensure they include any applicable sponsor identification. 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

November 07, 2023

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.320

Documents

• 144761 Nadler Ed Response.pdf
• 144761 Ed Nadler Complaint.pdf
• 144761 Nadler Ed Warning - Respondent.pdf