Carlson, Terry: Alleged Violations of RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failure to timely and accurately disclose contributions and expenditures on reports (EY23, Feb24)

Case

#151257

Respondent

Carlson, Terry

Complainant

Conner Edwards

Description

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements for a 2023 candidate under the Full Reporting option; the applicable Summary Full Campaign Contributions and Expenditures (C-4) Reports filed by Terry Carlson; and other relevant information, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations. Based on staff’s review, we found the following:

Terry Carlson filed a Candidate Registration declaring candidacy for Longview School Board Position 4, selecting the Full Reporting Option. For the 2023 election cycle, the 21-Day Pre-General Election C-4 report was required to be filed no later than October 17, 2023, the 7-Day Pre-General Election C-4 was required to be filed no later than October 31, 2023, and the Post General Election C-4 was required to be filed no later than December 11, 2023.  

Terry Carlson filed expenditure reports for those periods, but the reports were submitted late. The reports disclosed minimal contribution and expenditure activity that fell below the $7,000 limit for a candidate choosing the Mini Reporting Option on their candidate registration. Mini reporting, had it been selected, would have relieved the candidate of filing expenditure reports.

In accordance with WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), PDC staff issued a formal written warning to Terry Carlson concerning the requirement to timely and accurately file Summary Full Campaign Contribution and Expenditure (C-4) reports. In the future, should they declare candidacy again, staff expects Terry Carlson to file timely and accurately as required. The Commission will consider this formal written warning in deciding further Commission action if there are future violations of PDC laws and 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), and WAC 390-37-060(1)(a). 
 

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

April 02, 2024

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

• Initial-hearing-results-respondent.pdf
• PDC Case 151257 Terry Carlson closed with warning.pdf
• 151257 Carlson Terry Complaint.pdf