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

Case

#155728

Respondent

Jimmy Sherrell

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:

• Jimmy Sherrell filed a Candidate Registration (C-1) on May 6, 2024, for the Full Reporting option.  Mr. Sherrell amended the C-1 on July 8, 2024, converting to the Mini Reporting option. Based on PDC records, the candidate had receipts of $4,250.40, spent $2,146.74, and was a first-time filer in the ORCA system.

• The C-4 and C-3 reports for the period of May 2024 were filed months late.

• A monthly C-4 report for the period of June 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024, was initially filed timely but then had to be amended and was not finalized until September 27, 2024.  Two of the three associated C-3 reports for June were filed late with a third report filed timely.

• The candidate converted to the Mini Reporting option in July but still had a reporting obligation through the 21-day reporting period.  They filed a C-4 for July 1, 2024 – July 15, 2024, and a C-4 for July 16, 2024 – July 29, 2024, on August 20, 2024, amended on September 27, 2024.  Ultimately both reports were filed late but neither showed any contributions or expenditures.
 
• Mr. Sherrell does not have other similar warnings or violations of PDC requirements.

Mr. Sherrell was a first-time candidate and responded to the complaint: “I am truly sorry for the mixup.  It is the first time that I have ran for an office and have had to fill these documents out.”  Mr. Sherrell worked with PDC Filer Assistance Staff and has addressed the reporting issues outlined in your complaint.

Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, failing to timely and accurately report certain contributions and expenditures does not amount to a finding of a violation that calls for further investigation.

Per WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), however, Jimmy Sherrell will receive a formal written warning concerning the requirement under RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failing to timely and accurately report contributions and expenditures.  Staff expects Mr. Sherrell, moving forward, to follow all statutes and rules about submitting timely and accurate Cash Receipts, Monetary Contributions (C-3) and Receipts & Expenditure Summary (C-4) reports.  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 24, 2024

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

• 155728 Jimmy Sherrell Complaint.pdf
• 155728 Sherrell_Jimmy Response.pdf
• 155728 Jimmy Sherrell Supplemental Complaint.pdf
• 155728 Sherrell_Jimmy Complaint Return Letter (combined).pdf