{"id":2353110,"date":"2024-10-10T10:27:55","date_gmt":"2024-10-10T14:27:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pdc-fines-lets-go-washington-20k-for-campaign-finance-violations-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-10-10T10:31:43","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T14:31:43","slug":"pdc-fines-lets-go-washington-20k-for-campaign-finance-violations-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pdc-fines-lets-go-washington-20k-for-campaign-finance-violations-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"PDC fines Let\u2019s Go Washington $20K for campaign finance violations &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpdc-fines-lets-go-washington-20k-for-campaign-finance-violations-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2353110&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Public Disclosure Commission\u200d (PDC) has fined the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-drops-campaign-finance-charge-against-dem-megadonor-alleged-fraudster\/\" title=\"DOJ dismisses campaign finance charge against Democratic megadonor, accused of fraud.\">political\u200d action committee<\/a> Let\u2019s Go \u200cWashington\u200c $20,000 for campaign finance violations, with \u200bhalf of the fine suspended. The\u200c allegations include failing to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/indicting-trump-will-usher-in-americas-banana-republic-stage\/\" title=\"Indicting Trump Will Usher In America\u2019s Banana-Republic Stage\">report payments made<\/a> to sub-vendors by\u200b signature-gathering firms and not \u2064<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/food-stamps-october-snap-payments-worth-up-to-1751-for-maine-residents-end-in-two-days\/\" title=\"Maine residents&#039; October SNAP payments, worth up to ,751, will expire in two days.\">providing required\u2062 documentation<\/a> to investigators in a timely manner. Callie Castillo, legal counsel for Let\u2019s Go Washington, emphasized that\u2062 although there were\u2062 no violations for timely\u200d reporting or maintaining \u200dinaccurate records,\u200b the committee was penalized for not reporting sub-vendor information and not \u200cpromptly presenting\u2063 financial \u200ddocuments when requested.<\/p>\n<p>Chad Standifer, a senior assistant \u200dattorney general, listed several infractions\u2064 committed by Let\u2019s Go Washington, including inaccurate reporting of expenditures \u200band failing to maintain proper records. Communications Director Hallie Balch defended the \u2063organization,\u2064 asserting that they complied with PDC \u2063rules\u2064 and claiming the PDC changed requirements midway through \u2062the reporting process. Let\u2019s Go Washington has claimed that \u200bthe PDC&#8217;s \u2062accusations are based on conjecture rather than \u200csolid evidence. The\u2062 committee plans \u200cto contest the ruling, \u200chighlighting alleged misconduct by PDC staff in comparison to other organizations involved in similar activities.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">PDC fines Let&rsquo;s Go Washington $20K for campaign finance violations<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1792144\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; Political action committee Let&rsquo;s Go Washington, the organization behind several initiatives on the November ballot, was fined $20,000 &ndash; half suspended &ndash; by the Public Disclosure Commission for not reporting what signature-gathering firms paid to sub-vendors, as well as not producing documents to investigators in a timely manner.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Callie Castillo, legal counsel for Let&rsquo;s Go Washington, summarized the findings of the PDC&rsquo;s&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pdc-case-tracking.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com\/6066\/Final_Order-LGW-140213%20-%20signed.pdf\">final order<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The Commissioners found no violation for timely reporting or for purportedly keeping inaccurate books of account,&rdquo; she emailed The Center Square.<\/p>\n<p>She continued:&nbsp; &ldquo;They did find a violation for failing to follow through on reporting sub-vendor information and for not timely providing the books of account to the PDC when first requested. The total penalty is $20,000, with $10,000 suspended upon satisfactory compliance of additional requirements.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Castillo explained that the $10,000 fine must be paid within 30 days, and Let&rsquo;s Go Washington must determine whether sub-vendors were used by its contracted vendors.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s Go Washington committed four categories of violations,&rdquo; said Chad Standifer, senior assistant attorney general, in his opening statement during an Oct 3&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/washington\/article_7a556a22-7c36-11ef-a20c-3b5d87c40d30.html\">hearing<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;before the PDC.<\/p>\n<p>Standifer accused Let&rsquo;s Go Washington of failing to accurately and timely report expenditures, failing to timely report the expenditures of sub-vendors, failing to timely report account books to PDC staff, and failing to preserve account books with respect to sub-vendor expenditures.<\/p>\n<p>Let&rsquo;s Go Washington Communications Director Hallie Balch told The Center Square the organization has always complied with PDC rules.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We did everything we can to follow the law and be helpful to them with all the different kinds of deadlines and reporting,&rdquo; said Balch, who claimed that PDC staff changed requirements after initial filings.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Midway through one of the reporting deadlines, they said they believed we had sub-vendors, and they said we had to start reporting on all the sub-vendors,&rdquo; said Balch, who has repeatedly stated Let&rsquo;s Go Washington doesn&rsquo;t use sub-vendors for signature gathering.<\/p>\n<p>According to Let&rsquo;s Go Washington, PDC staff based its charges on nothing more than double hearsay without any witness testimony or exhibits showing there was any sub-vendor information for Let&rsquo;s Go Washington to report on.<\/p>\n<p>Let&rsquo;s Go Washington is responding based on what it says is the PDC staff&rsquo;s &ldquo;belief&rdquo; standard.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;If the PDC wants to fine us or say we&rsquo;re in violation of the law then most definitely these six organizations that we&rsquo;ve identified are in violation of this new precedent,&rdquo; Balch said, a reference to organizations opposed to Let&rsquo;s Go Washington-sponsored ballot measures.<\/p>\n<p>Those six organizations are: Defend&nbsp;Washington, No on 2109 Committee, Balance the Tax Code, Help our Kids Sponsored by Civic Ventures, Civic Alliance for a Prosperous Economy (CAPE), No Tax Cut for the Super Rich, and Commit to Change&nbsp;WA, which is sponsored by ACLU of&nbsp;Washington.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We are the only ones repeatedly getting fined and receiving violations from the PDC when these ones are in violation,&rdquo; Balch complained. &ldquo;If we are, then they are certainly as well.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>She said Let&rsquo;s Go Washington&rsquo;s legal team filed complaints this week with the PDC against the six organizations.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re just looking for some accountability here,&rdquo; Balch said. &ldquo;If the whole organization is being brought down, then everybody should be included in that.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The Center Square reached out to Defend Washington and the No on I-2109 campaign for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Voters will decide three Let&rsquo;s Go Washington-sponsored initiatives on Nov. 5 repealing&nbsp;the state&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-political-activism-and-influence-of-bill-gates\/\" title=\"The Political Activism And Influence of Bill Gates\">capital gains tax<\/a>, getting rid of the Climate Commitment Act and its carbon market, and adding an opt out provision when it comes to Washington&rsquo;s new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/poll-indicates-voter-support-for-three-initiatives-on-washingtons-fall-ballot\/\" title=\"Poll shows support for three initiatives in Washington&#039;s upcoming fall ballot\">long-term care insurance program<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1792144\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1792144\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PDC fines Let\u2019s Go Washington $20K for finance violations<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2353112,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP24014160536170-1024x683.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[33926,5621,42714,42715,4086],"class_list":["post-2353110","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-campaign-finance","tag-fines","tag-pdc","tag-political-violations","tag-washington"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP24014160536170-1024x683.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2353110","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2353110"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2353110\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2353112"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2353110"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2353110"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2353110"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}