Washington State Federation of Democratic Women: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failure to accurately file expenditures reports. (EY23-24 OCT24)

Case

#168356

Respondent

Washington State Federation of Democratic Women PAC

Complainant

Glen Morgan

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) completed its review of the complaint filed by Glen Morgan on October 18, 2024. The complaint alleged violations of: RCW 42.17A.235 & .240 for failure to timely and accurately file expenditure reports.

Applicable Laws & Rules

  • RCW 42.17A.235 describes the required filing deadlines for disclosure of campaign finance activities including monetary contributions.
  • RCW 42.17A.240 describes the required contents of campaign finance reports filed with the Public Disclosure Commission. 

Background & Findings 

  • Washington State Federation of Democratic Women is a continuing political action committee filing under the Full Reporting option for the 2024 calendar year. 
  • The committee typically raises and spends less than $3,000 a year.
  • The complaint alleged discrepancies on reported carry-forward amounts between calendar years and failure to report subvendor detail for reimbursements. 
  • The carry-forward discrepancy between calendar years 2023 and 2024 was $5 and between 2020 and 2021 was $8. 
  • The PAC made four reimbursements to its president for good and services. The reports of these reimbursements did not include detail about where the items were purchased.
  • The PDC strongly encourages the Respondent to amend the report to accurately report carry-forwards and subvendor detail. The committee is required to follow all campaign reporting requirements in the future and could be subject to enforcement for failure to do so.

Summary and Resolution

Having reviewed the complaint and the supporting evidence, PDC staff has determined that the committee appears to have violated RCW 42.17A. Based on the guidance provided to PDC staff by the Commission at its January 23, 2025, meeting, this matter is being dismissed in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1) and WAC 390-37-060(1)(d) due to current caseloads.    

Any allegations regarding reporting for the 2023 and 2024 campaign that are not otherwise addressed are also hereby dismissed.   

You are required to comply with all PDC requirements in the future. Failure to do so could lead to further enforcement action.    

 

Disposition

Dismissed by Executive Director

Date Opened

March 14, 2025

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

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