November 30, 2015  Dena Jensen

Findings have been released by the Public Disclosure Commission on the investigation into the “Whatcom County Community Report” (otherwise known as the Jail Mailer) that was sent out during the height of the 2015 Whatcom County election. County Executive Jack Louws and jail project consultant, DLR Group worked together with others on the mailer.

No action was recommended against any of those that the 15 complaints were lodged against. Here’s the first paragraph of the report, entitled Executive Summary and Staff Analysis Whatcom County Officials (Jack Louws, Executive; Bill Elfo, Sheriff; David McEachran, Prosecutor) (10 Complaints plus five 45-Day Citizen Action Complaints) PDC Case No. 1122:

Based on the factors identified in staff’s investigation and described here, staff did not find that Whatcom County Officials (Jack Louws, County Executive; Bill Elfo, County Sheriff; and David McEachran, County Prosecutor) violated RCW 42.17A.555 by authorizing and distributing a flyer that promoted Proposition 2015-1 or Proposition 1, or the re-election campaigns of Sheriff Bill Elfo and Executive Jack Louws. In addition, the jail mailer did not constitute a prohibited Public Service Announcement or an unreported Electioneering Communication.

Here’s a link to the full 511 page PDC report: http://www.pdc.wa.gov/archive/commissionmeetings/meetingshearings/pdfs/2015/PDC1122.Whatcom.pdf