Cowlitz County Democratic Women: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failure to timely and accurately report contributions and expenditures. (EY24 OCT24)

Case

#163185

Respondent

Cowlitz County Democratic Women

Complainant

Glen Morgan

Description

  • Allegation: Violation of RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failure to timely and accurately report contributions and expenditures.

PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements for a 2024 political committee 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:

• Cowlitz County Democratic Women is a political committee that participated in the 2024 election and selected the Full Reporting Option.
• 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. 
• Between December 8, 2024, and December 10, 2024, the Respondent filed nine C-4 reports covering periods between February 1, 2024, through October 28, 2024, disclosing approximately $7,100 in expenditures. The reports were submitted late. 
• The committee had not received 80 percent of its contributions in the prior 12 months from Deb Coss-Ficke as of 60 days prior to the primary or general elections, so no amendment of the committee’s registration was required by WAC 390-16-011A.

Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), however, Cowlitz County Democratic Women 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 Cowlitz County Democratic Women 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.

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). Any allegations regarding reporting by this respondent for calendar year 2024 that are not otherwise addressed here are also hereby dismissed.
 

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

December 04, 2024

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

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