Following is a copy of the letter Kent resident Bailey Stober sent to the state Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) in his complaint against Brenda Fincher for alleged campaign violations during her recent successful run for the Kent City Council.
In an earlier story, Fincher admitted she had failed to meet the deadlines for filing expenditures and contributions reports. Fincher said she is in the process of filing those reports.
The PDC is reviewing the complaint and released Stober’s letter after a media request. The commission can open an investigation and fine a candidate if it determines violations occurred.
The complaints:
• Membership to Kent City Chamber of Commerce so that campaign materials could be mailed out, expense was never declared.
• September 8 campaign kickoff at Kona Kai Coffee, no expenses or in-kind donations declared for use of the space and food that was served.
• Campaign signs out all over city two weeks before election day, no expenses or in-kind donations declared.
• Candidates are required to report deposits within five days of receipt. On Oct 21, candidate claimed contributions received as far back as the beginning of September, almost six weeks later.
• Candidate is using pictures of law enforcement and fire department individuals in their uniforms in literature and in online media.
• Candidate released a robocall which says, “this is Brenda Fincher” and it was clearly not the candidate speaking.
Stober writes to the PDC that the candidate is paying a professional treasurer, so there is no excuse for these multiple egregious violations.
“As an appointed placeholder, the incumbent’s behavior is expected to be beyond reproach,” Stober said. “She has demonstrated that she is unwilling to comply with the rules and regulations set forth by the state and the residents of Kent deserve better.”
Stober included copies of Fincher’s expenditures and contributions report as part of his complaint as well as an announcement about the Kona Kai fundraiser and photos Fincher used of police and firefighters in campaign materials.
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