OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson said his office has filed complaints in Thurston County Superior Court against state Sen. Sam Hunt and against the Thurston County Democratic Central Committee, alleging deficient campaign finance reports.
Ferguson has recused himself from involvement in the cases, according to a March 14 news release.
Ferguson’s office received two citizen action notices, one in October and one in December 2016. The notices alleged that Hunt and his committee, Sam Hunt for Senate Senate, committed multiple violations of public disclosure laws in Washington. Ferguson’s office looked into the matter and reported that Hunt allegedly failed to timely report $9,752.75 in orders placed and debts incurred for campaign mailings.
Two more citizen notices came in, this time in January and February, alleging multiple campaign finance violations by the Thurston County Democratic Central Committee during the 2016 election. After looking into the matter, Ferguson’s office determined that the party had allegedly failed to disclose in a timely manner a $1,250 in-kind contribution, more than $21,000 in expenditures and $4.827 in debts incurred.
Washington is seeking penalties and injunctive relief. Handling the cases for Washington is Senior Assistant Attorney General Linda Dalton and Assistant Attorney General Walter Smith.