Whatcom Democrats file complaint against Whatcom Republicans

The Whatcom Democrats filed a complaint with the state’s Public Disclosure Commission (PDC), alleging that the Whatcom Republicans committed substantial violations of reporting rules involving tens of thousands of dollars.

The Whatcom Democrats submitted a formal complaint to the PDC on July 29 raising questions about the accuracy and completeness of legally-required campaign financial disclosures made by the Whatcom Republicans. More than $33,000 in funds appear to have been misreported, according to Whatcom Democrats.

“The degree to which the Whatcom Republicans are playing fast and loose with public financial disclosures is frankly shocking,” said Andrew Reding, chairperson of the Whatcom Democrats. “These laws exist to ensure transparency in our elections, and this shady bookkeeping does the opposite.”

The Whatcom Democrats specifically allege that the Whatcom Republicans violated the Public Disclosure Act and Regulations in their reporting of “miscellaneous” receipts and expenses concerning a Whatcom Republicans fundraising event and auction on April 6.

According to the Whatcom Democrats, the Whatcom Republicans reported individual contributions as “miscellaneous receipts” rather than as contributions from named individuals. “The reporting of individual contributions as ‘miscellaneous receipts’ rather than as contributions from named individuals obscures and misrepresents the total contributions of the individuals to the party,” said the Whatcom Democrats’ complaint.

The complaint also alleged that the Whatcom Republicans reimbursed their chair, Kathy Kershner, for auction expenses of more than $15,000 without itemizing the vendors or the goods and services provided. “The vendors that provided these services and goods for which reimbursement was made are required to be identified together with the goods/services provided and the costs of each,” read the Whatcom Democrats’ complaint.

The Whatcom Democrats said that the improper reimbursements involving Kershner are particularly troubling, given her position as party chair and her candidacy for county council. “The more than $15,000 in non-itemized reimbursements Ms. Kershner received … calls into question whether Ms. Kershner is improperly and illegally using party funds for her own campaign,” said the Whatcom Democrats.

In a response issued on July 31, Kershner said she took “great offense” to the attack on her personal integrity. “Those expenses were legitimate and reimbursed according to PDC rules,” she said. “The attempt by the Democrats to undermine voter confidence in my campaign for county council with these allegations is despicable.”

Kershner said that the Whatcom Democrats were jealous of the Republicans’ successful fundraising efforts. “We believe these allegations ultimately stem from Democrats’ irritation of our record-breaking fundraising efforts to date this year and the momentum our members have toward electing more commonsense leaders,” she said.

Kershner said that the Whatcom Republicans are serious about reporting their finances accurately and adhering to PDC rules and requirements. “I have complete confidence in my leadership team,” she said. “Once we receive a formal copy of the complaint from the PDC, we will review it and look forward to demonstrating that we have complied with all PDC requirements.”