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

Case

#160673

Respondent

A.L. Brown

Complainant

Conner Edwards

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaints you filed on June 11, 2024, July 19, 2024 and August 1, 2024. The complaints alleged that A. L. Brown, a candidate, may have violated RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failure to timely and accurately file Campaign Summary Receipts & Expenditures reports (C-4 reports), disclosing expenditures undertaken by the campaign.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements for a 2024 candidate under the Full Reporting option; the applicable Summary Full Campaign Contributions (C-3 reports) and Expenditures Reports (C-4 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:

• A. L. Brown filed a Candidate Registration declaring their candidacy for Governor, selecting the Full Reporting Option.

• The complaint alleged the failure to timely file required C-4 reports.

• RCW 42.17A.235 describes the required filing deadlines for disclosure of campaign finance activities including monetary contributions.

• RCW 42.17A.240 requires committees to file accurate campaign finance reports with the Public Disclosure Commission. 

• Once notified, the Respondent filed all required C-4 reports, but not until after the primary election.

• Minus the filing fee, the campaign reported $704 of expenditure activity. All expenditure activity was reported as in-kind from the Respondent.

• The Respondent did not advance from the primary election. 

Based on this information, the PDC finds that no further action is warranted and has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).

Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), however, A. L. Brown will receive a formal written warning concerning failure to timely disclosure of all contribution and expenditures. The formal written warning will include staff’s expectation that A. L. Brown timely files all future required reports of contributions and expenditures. The Commission will consider the formal written warning in deciding on further Commission action if there are future violations of PDC laws or rules.

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

October 16, 2024

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

• 160673 A. L. Brown Complaint.pdf
• 160673 Brown A L Complaint (2).pdf
• 160673 Brown A L Warning Letter Respondent.pdf