Clallam County is the north part of the Olympia Peninsula
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The Clallam County Democratic Central Committee recently settled their campaign finance lawsuit from last year for a total settlement of $12,100 (see settlement here). The Clallam County Democratic County Central Committee, located at the tip of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, like nearly all the Democratic County Party political committees in the State of Washington, was a serious violator of the Washington State Campaign Finance laws (RCW 42.17A).  Since both the Public Disclosure Commission and the Washington State Attorney General’s office refused to enforce the campaign finance laws in this case, this author was forced to do so on behalf of the State of Washington.

AG Bob Ferguson spoke at the Clallam County Roosevelt Dinner in 2017 – this was before the lawsuit was filed against them.

The failure to follow the law by the Clallam County Democrats was originally identified by this author who filed a complaint with the Public Disclosure Commission on September 19, 2017 (linked here).  After the Attorney General’s office refused to enforce the law in this case, the author filed suit on behalf of the State of Washington on December 26, 2017 (linked here).

Washington State Public Lands Commissioner Hillary Franz spoke to Clallam County Democrats promoting State Legislator Mike Chapman (24th LD) who calls himself a “Rural D” which is supposed to be different than a “Seattle D”

The lawsuit identified several significant violations including:

  • The Committee failed to timely disclose $16,789 in contributions on a large number of contribution reports for a total of 1049 days late. Some of these were not reported during the crucial 30 days before an election, which denied the ability of voters to see who was donating to this political committee
  • The Committee filed Expenditure reports a total of 1,401 days late including over $6,685 of expenditures which denied voters the ability to see who this committee funded (or how they spend their resources) during the campaign season of 2017.

As you can see from the final settlement (linked here).  The Clallam County Democrats should be commended for wisely recognizing they broke the law and settling the lawsuit on generous terms, which are as follows:

  • $6737.50 fine (paid to the State) with $5, 390 suspended for a period of 4 years contingent on no findings of violations of the law committed during these 4 years. This means if they violate the law again in the next 4 years, this $5,390 will be immediately payable to the state in addition to whatever new fines are levied at that time.  They paid $1,347.50 to the State of Washington, which will be squandered along with the rest of our tax dollars in the general fund.
  • $5,362.50 paid in attorney and court costs immediately.
While State Rep Van de Wege (LD-24th) (Right) is smiling, it isn’t about the lawsuit or the settlement

There is nothing fun about getting caught breaking Washington State’s campaign finance laws.  The failure to comply with these laws has been proven and demonstrated by this author to be widespread and unequally enforced across the state for many years.  However, the Clallam County Democrats should also be commended for resolving this case relatively quickly and maturely facing the consequences of their actions.  In this respect, their actions

These campaign finance settlements seem a little bit like flushing cash down the toilet

were far superior to the Island County Democrats, the Pacific County Democrats, the 43rd Leg District Democrats, the 11th Leg District Democrats, and the others who have only compounded their original violations by attempting to dissolve and run away from their liabilities.  For these organizations, the final penalties will be far more severe than what the Clallam County Democrats have experienced.

This author also hopes that the sheer volume of lawbreaking uncovered across the state by Democratic county party organizations,  political action committees, politicians, judges and others will help encourage more transparency from these organizations in the near future.  By exposing the truth today, we can make tomorrow a better place.

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OUR CONSTITUTION BEGINS WITH THE PHRASE “WE THE PEOPLE.”  IT WAS THE FOUNDER’S INTENT THAT GOVERNMENT BE CREATED BY THE PEOPLE, TO SERVE THE PEOPLE.  IT WASN’T THEIR INTENTION FOR THE PEOPLE TO SERVE THE GOVERNMENT.  IT WAS ALWAYS INTENDED THAT GOVERNMENT WHICH FAILED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE SHOULD BE “ALTERED OR ABOLISHED.”  UNTIL WE RETURN TO THE FOUNDER’S INTENT, WE REMAIN WE THE GOVERNED

Additional Background articles and documents:

Original PDC complaint #25576 filed on September 19, 2017

WA State, ex rel Glen Morgan vs. Clallam County Democratic Central Committee – original lawsuit – Thurston County Court Case #17-2-06762-34 – dated December 26, 2017

WA State, ex rel Glen Morgan vs. Clallam County Democratic Central Committee – stipulation and agreed settlement – Thurston County Court Case #17-2-06762-34 – dated May 24, 2018

Attorney General’s updated list of Campaign Finance Settlements 

EDDC – Expenditure report – dated October 17, 2017 – detailing $641 legal fees

EDDC – Expenditure report – dated April 9, 2018 – detailing $5,913 legal costs and settlement costs

San Juan County Democrats settle AG lawsuit for $13k, hope to do better next time

Democratic Party attacks campaign transparency in Washington
Kittitas County Democrats settle AG campaign finance lawsuit for $28k in fines and penalties
Pacific County Democrats dissolve and commit fraud to avoid transparency

Washington State Democrats find hope in AG’s $38,520 fine against the Pierce County Democrats

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