Jonathan Welch: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failure to timely and accurately report contributions and expenditures (EY24 JUN24).

Case

#155416

Respondent

Jonathan Jonnie Welch

Complainant

Conner Edwards

Description

Pursuant to the notice of brief enforcement hearing (brief adjudicative proceeding) sent to Jonathan Welch on October 13, 2024, a brief adjudicative proceeding was held on October 29, 2024, remotely from Olympia, WA. The purpose of the hearing was to consider whether Jonathan Welch violated RCW 42.17A.235 & .240 by failing to 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 as required by campaigns registered under the “Full Reporting” option.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

 Based on the above facts, as a matter of law, the Presiding Officer concludes as follows:

1. This matter was duly and properly convened, and all jurisdictional, substantive, and procedural requirements have been satisfied.
2. Jonathan Welch violated RCW 42.17A.235 & RCW 42.17A.240 by failing to timely and accurately file: (1) the May 2024 C-4 report; (2) the 21-day Pre-Primary C-4 report; (3) the 7-day Pre-Primary C-4 report; and (4) the Post-Primary C-4 report, disclosing contributions and expenditures undertaken by the Campaign as required by campaigns registered under the “Full Reporting” option.

ORDER

ON the basis of the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law,

1. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Respondent shall file the missing 7-day Pre-Primary and Post-Primary C-4 reports, and make corrections and file amendments to the May C-4 report previously filed with a negative cash-on-hand balance, within 30 days of this Order and is assessed a total civil penalty of $150 in accordance with the Brief Enforcement penalty schedule set forth in WAC 390-37-143. 
2. It is further ordered that $40 of the $150 penalty is suspended on the following conditions:
3. The non-suspended portion of the penalty ($110) is paid by the Respondent within 30 days of the date of this Order.
4. The Respondent files all missing and amended C-4 reports for the 2024 election, within 30 days of this Order.
5. It is further ordered that, if the Respondent fails to comply with any of the above conditions:
6. The full $150 penalty shall immediately become due without further action by the Commission and PDC Staff is directed to refer the matter to collections and/or commence other legal proceedings as authorized by RCW 42.17A and 390 WAC.
7. Any missing campaign reports shall be due immediately.

This is an Initial Order of the Public Disclosure Commission. 

Disposition

Violation Found by Commission

Date Opened

June 17, 2024

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

• 155416 Jonathan Welch Complaint.pdf
• 155416 Jonathan Welch Complaint (3).pdf
• 155416 Jonathan Welch Complaint (2).pdf
• 155416 Jonathan Welch Complaint (4).pdf
• 155416 Welch Jonathan BAP Hearing Notice (Oct 29).pdf
• 155416 Welch Jonathan Memorandum to PO - Brief.pdf
• 155416 Welch Jonathan BAP Order.pdf

Penalties