Gattenby, Eric: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.205 for for failure to timely register as a candidate (June 20)
Case
#72298
Respondent
Eric Gattenby
Complainant
Dave Kimble
Description
The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has completed its review of the complaint filed on June 11, 2020. The complaint alleged that Eric Gattenby, a current School Director with South Kitsap School District 402, Position 1 may have violated RCW 42.17A.205 for failure to timely file a Candidate Registration report (C-1 report) within two weeks of becoming a candidate while using language that appeared to identify him as a candidate in online political advertisements.
PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and reporting requirements; and the response provided by Mr. Gattenby, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.
It appears that the language originally found on Mr. Gattenby’s Facebook page was left over from his candidacy for South Kitsap School District 402 School Director in the 2019 election and was not intended to be used as a new declaration of candidacy for a future election. Mr. Gattenby does not have any prior violations with the PDC, he responded promptly to the complaint and made appropriate changes to his Facebook page immediately.
Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, Mr. Gattenby is not a current candidate for election to public office and was not required to submit a C-1 report within two weeks of making a public announcement and that no evidence supports a finding of a violation that warrants further investigation.
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).
Disposition
Case Closed with No Evidence of Violations
Date Opened
June 22, 2020
Areas of Law
RCW 42.17A.205
Documents
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