Committee to Support Deer Park Schools: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.235 & ,240 for failure to timely and accurately report contributions and expenditures (EY24 MAY24)

Case

#154489

Respondent

Committee to Support Deer Park Schools

Complainant

Conner Edwards

Description

PDC staff reviewed the allegation(s); the applicable statutes and rules and reporting requirements; the response(s) provided by the Respondent; the applicable PDC reports filed by the Respondent; 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:

• The Committee to Support Deer Park Schools filed a Committee Registration (C-1pc) for the 2018 campaign on January 20, 2018, under the Mini Reporting option, and a C-1pc for the 2024 campaign on September 10, 2023, under the Full Reporting option.
• Upon reviewing the reports, and confirming information with the Respondent, there were errors in the 2018 reporting.  However, these errors were unintentional and the difference between the originally reported Cash on Hand and current Cash on Hand for the 2018 campaign was approximately $1,000.  The committee was eligible for and filed under the Mini Reporting option with $3,079.90 raised, $1,317.03 spent, and $1,762.87 Cash on Hand at the end of the campaign.
• In this instance, the allegations of violations committed in the 2018 campaign are beyond the statute of limitations.  Per RCW 42.17A.770, action must begin within five years after the date when the alleged violation occurred. 
• Regarding the carry forward for the 2024, campaign, the Treasurer amended the first Campaign Summary Receipts & Expenditures (C-4) report (#110191407), to ensure the 2024 campaign reported the correct carry forward balance.  The difference between the original reported amount and the currently reported amount is $215.  Consequently, the C-4 reports following the first report also had to be amended to ensure a correct carry forward. 
• The Respondent has been previously warned about timely and accurate reporting for the 2024 campaign.  However, in this instance we find that amendments are insufficient evidence of late reporting. 

Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, failure to accurately and timely report the Cash on Hand for the end of the 2018 campaign and the beginning of the 2024 campaign does not amount to a finding of a violation that calls for further investigation.

Committee to Support Deer Park Schools made minor or ministerial errors on required reports, which did not materially affect the public interest.  Upon notification of these errors the committee treasurer, Jody Hodgson, promptly amended their reports, making the necessary technical corrections as requested by staff.

Based on this information, the PDC finds that no further action is necessary and hereby resolves this matter as a technical correction per RCW 42.17A.755(1) & (2) and WAC 390-37-060.

Disposition

Resolved with Technical Correction

Date Opened

May 29, 2024

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

• 154489 Committee to Support Deer Park Schools Complaint.pdf
• 154489 Committee to Support Deer Park Schools Response.pdf
• 154489 Committee to Support Deer Park Schools Complaint Return Letter (combined).pdf