The Attorney General’s Office on Tuesday announced that it has filed a complaint in Thurston County Superior Court alleging campaign finance violations by Service Employees International Union Local 925 (SEIU 925) and SEIU Local 925 Public Service PAC (SEIU 925 PAC).
Specifically, the AG alleges that SEIU 925 and SEIU 925 PAC failed to timely and properly file reports of in-kind and monetary contributions as required under the state’s campaign finance laws.
“Transparency in elections is vital to the integrity of our democracy,” Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in a media release. “I am committed to holding all parties accountable for disclosing timely information, so voters can make fully informed decisions.”
SEIU 925 represents people who work in education from early learning through higher education as well as members who work in local government and with nonprofits.
In August, the Attorney General’s Office received a Citizen Action Complaint from the Freedom Foundation against SEIU 925 alleging multiple violations of the state’s public disclosure laws.
The matter was referred to the state Public Disclosure Commission, which opened a formal investigation and reviewed the allegations against SEIU 925 at its special meeting on Oct. 5. PDC staff reported their findings that SEIU 925 had not violated state law on the majority of the allegations. However, PDC Staff found that SEIU 925 had violated the requirement to report contributions, including in-kind contributions of staff time to operate and manage its political action committee.
The AGO’s complaint alleges that, between 2011 and 2015, SEIU 925 failed to file reports of monetary contributions totaling $635,000 made to SEIU 925 PAC as well as to other individuals and political committees. The complaint also alleges SEIU 925 failed to file reports of in-kind contributions — including staff time, office space, postal and web services, and telephones — it made to the SEIU 925 PAC.
Finally, while SEIU 925 PAC reported receiving the monetary contributions, it failed to properly file reports of any in-kind contributions received from SEIU 925.
The state seeks penalties and injunctive relief.
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