OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington Rep. Frank Chopp will pay $6,469.78 for alleged campaign finance violations, the Washington Attorney General's Office said.
Chopp and his committee, Citizens for Frank Chopp, allegedly failed to timely disclose contributions and expenditures. They were purportedly 28 days late in reporting $6,722 in expenditures in March 2015 and 14 days late in disclosing $5,150 in contributions in November 2016. The second instance occurred one day before the general election.
To settle the allegations, Chopp will pay $3,480 in penalties. One-half of the penalty will be suspended for four years as long as Chopp commits no more violations. Chopp will also owe $4,729.78 in attorney fees, court costs and costs of investigation.
Handling the case for Washington is Senior Assistant Attorney General Linda Dalton and Assistant Attorney General Walter Smith.
Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s office noted in a March 14 press release that since taking office, Ferguson has devoted more agency resources to campaign finance cases.
Ferguson recused himself from being involved Chopp investigation.