Amy Forrest: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failure to accurately report expenditures on reports. (EY25 AUG25)

Case

#177731

Respondent

Amy Forrest

Complainant

Kenton Gartrell

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) completed its review of a complaint filed with the PDC. 

Applicable Laws and Rules

 

  • Pursuant to RCW 42.17A.240(7), expenditures are disclosed on C-4 reports, which must include, but are not limited to: 1) the name and address of each person to whom an expenditure was made in the aggregate of more than $200 during the period covered by the report; 2) the amount, date, and purpose of each expenditure; and 3) the total sum of all expenditures. Purpose details should state the goods or services provided by the vendor, including the number of items purchased, identify any candidates or ballot propositions supported or opposed by the expenditure, and the name & address of any sub-vendors used. For advertising expenditures, campaigns should describe the type and number of ads, where they appeared or were broadcast, and when (e.g. run dates). An in-kind contribution is disclosed like an expenditure on the PDC’s Online Reporting of Campaign Activity (ORCA) software.
  • Pursuant to RCW 42.17A.235(3)(a), each treasurer of a candidate or political committee is required to file a report on the tenth day of each month during which they are not participating in an election campaign only if the committee 1) received a contribution or made an expenditure in the preceding calendar month; and 2) either total contributions received or total expenditures made since the last such report exceed $750.

Background and Findings

  • Respondent filed a PDC registration on June 2, 2025, under the Full Reporting option, for City Council Member on the City of Yakima. 
  • The PDC received a complaint regarding lack of expenditure detail on Respondents expenditure (C-4) report.  
  • Full reporting campaigns are  required to report the "purpose" of an expenditures as required by WAC 390-16-037. 
  • In 2025 the Respondent has not received a warning, admitted to a violation, or been found in violation by the Commission.

Summary and Resolution

Having reviewed the complaint and the supporting evidence, PDC staff has determined that you appear to have violated RCW 42.17A. After consideration of all the circumstances, further proceedings would not serve the purposes of the Fair Campaign Practices Act. Under WAC 390-37-070, the executive director, at any time prior to consideration by the Commission, may dismiss a complaint which on its face, or as shown by investigation, provides reason to believe that a violation has occurred, but also shows that the respondent is in substantial compliance with the relevant statutes or rules, or shows that formal enforcement action is not warranted. 

Based on this, the PDC has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1) and WAC 390-37-060(1)(d). PDC staff is reminding you about the importance of timely reporting and providing complete expenditure detail. You are expected to comply with PDC statutes and rules in the future

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

August 22, 2025

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

No documents found

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