INT'L FED OF PROF & TECH ENGRS LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION ACTION PROGRAM PAC (IFPTE): Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.250 for failure to timely and accurately report as an out-of-state political committee (EY19-24 May24

Case

#155608

Respondent

INT'L FED OF PROF & TECH ENGRS LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION ACTION PROGRAM PAC (IFPTE)

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 IFPTE LEAP PAC is registered with the Federal Elections Commission under ID C00164509.  The PAC is a connected organization to the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers.  Matthew Biggs is the Treasurer of record.
• During the case review, staff discovered the PAC had participated in elections supporting campaigns in the 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024 elections.  The PAC had also taken part in Washington state elections in 2016 and 2019, but those campaigns are beyond the PDC statute of limitations.
  • In 2020, the campaign of June Robinson reported receiving $500 from the IFPTE LEAP PAC.  The PAC did not report the expenditure, on an Out-of-State Political Committee (C-5) Report, until August 19, 2024.
  • Similarly, the Bob Ferguson campaign reported in 2022, 2023 and 2024 having received a total of $3,250 from the PAC.  Those expenditures were not reported by the PAC until August 5, 2024.  
• Because the PACs expenditures were reported as contributions by the recipient candidates, the public was not deprived of critical information prior to an election.
• The respondent does not have other similar warnings or violations of PDC requirements.

Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, failing to timely and accurately report as an out-of-state political committee does not amount a violation that calls for further investigation.

Per WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), however, IFPTE LEAP PAC will receive a formal written warning concerning the requirement under RCW 42.17A.250 for failing to timely and accurately report as an out-of-state political committee.  Staff expects the IFPTE LEAP PAC, moving forward, to follow all statutes and rules about reporting of expenditures supporting or opposing a Washington state candidate or political committee.  If violations of PDC statutes or rules occur in the future, the Commission will consider this formal written warning in deciding on further Commission action.

Based on this information, the PDC finds that no further action necessary and has dismissed this matter per RCW 42.17A.755(1).

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

June 21, 2024

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.250

Documents

• 155608 IFPTE LEAP PAC Complaint.pdf
• 155608 IFPTE LEAP PAC Complaint Return Letter (combined).pdf