Violations: (1) RCW 42.17A.205 and WAC 390-16-125 by exceeding the mini reporting limitation before requesting to change from the Mini Reporting option to the Full Reporting option; and (2) RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failure to timely and accurately file Monetary Contribution reports (C-3 reports) and Summary Full Campaign Contribution and Expenditure reports (C-4 reports), disclosing contributions and expenditures (EY24 JUL24)

Case

#157533

Respondent

Lisa A Malpass Childress

Complainant

Lisa Malpass Childress

Description

Having considered the evidence, the Presiding Officer finds as follows:

FINDINGS OF FACT

1. The Respondent is a candidate for Superior Court Judge in Ferry, Pend Oreille, and Stevens Counties Superior Court for the State of Washington.

2. The Respondent filed a Candidate Registration (C-1) for the Mini Reporting option on March 8, 2024.

3. On July 5, 2024, the Respondent requested to change from the Mini Reporting option to the Full Reporting option. On July 23, 2024, the PDC granted the request and on this date the Respondent amended their C-1 to the Full Reporting option.

4. Under the Mini Reporting option, a committee must agree to not raise or spend more than $7,000 (in addition to filing fees). The committee must also commit to receiving no more than $500 from any one contributor (other than the candidate themselves). Changing from the Mini Reporting option to the Full Reporting option requires PDC staff’s approval, and the request must be made and approved before the committee exceeds the Mini Reporting limits.

5. Prior to making the request for conversion from Mini to Full Reporting, the Respondent exceeded the mini reporting threshold on July 1, 2024, when campaign financial activity reached $7,036.56 (not including filing fees).

6. On July 10, 2024, the Respondent submitted one C-4, and four C-3 reports for March, one C4 and one C-3 report for April, one C-4 and six C-3 reports for May, and one C-4 and four C4 reports for June. The reports were amended on July 16, 2024. These reports became due on July 1, 2024, when the Mini Reporting threshold was exceeded and are considered nine days late. For July, the Respondent submitted six timely C-3 reports and the C-4 report was submitted on July 16, 2024, but amended on August 12, 2024, reflecting substantial changes to receipts received and in-kind contributions received, and expenditures made. The August C-3 and C-4 reports were timely.

7. As of October 8, 2024, the Respondent has fulfilled the requirements to convert from Mini to Full Reporting and there do not appear to be missing C-3 and C-4 reports for the period of March through August 2024.

8. The Respondent has no prior violations.

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. The Respondent violated RCW 42.17A.205 and WAC 390-16-125 by exceeding the Mini Reporting limitation before obtaining approval to change from the Mini Reporting option to the Full Reporting option. 3. RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failure to timely and accurately file Monetary Contribution reports (C-3 reports) and Summary Full Campaign Contribution and Expenditure reports (C-4 reports), disclosing contributions and expenditures.

Disposition

Violation Found by Commission

Date Opened

July 31, 2024

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.205, RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240, WAC 390-16-125

Documents

Penalties

Total penalties: $300

Balance Due: $0

Lisa Malpass

Penalty

$300 (Civil Penalty for violation of RCW 42.17A.205, WAC 390-16-125, RCW 42.17A.235 and RCW 42.17A.240)

Suspended

$200 (Suspended amount if civil penalty of $100 is paid within 30 days of the date of the Order and the respondent does not commit any further violations for 4 years)

Payments

$100 on 12/02/2024 (PAID - PENALTY)