The purpose of Public Disclosure is to promote a climate in which candidates conduct honest and fair campaigns.
In regards to Mr. Bornemann's statement that "Some people were looking at specific campaigns, for whatever reasons." I agree wholeheartedly. I was looking for a pattern of violations, not one or two mistakes.
In the formal administrative charges against Mr. Bornemann, the PDC found that 57% of Mr. Bornemann's reports were filed late.
My goal as a public watch dog is to establish a public confidence that each voter has the ability to access campaign records so that they may understand the source of a candidate's financial support.
Federal and state campaign laws encourage candidates to conduct campaigns openly and fairly. If a candidate chooses not to abide by the law, a citizen (any citizen) has a legal right to file a complaint.
In the coming months, I hope that Mr. Bornemann and Mr. Pike come to understand that they have a responsibility to obey campaign laws and come to understand the real reason why citizens file campaign-related complaints.
Federal and State regulatory agencies do not open formal investigations without solid evidence to support the allegations listed in a complaint.
To state that my complaints were somehow "personally motivated" or just a "campaign stunt" is immature. And in my opinion, demonstrates a basic lack of regard for the laws that our elected officials take an oath to uphold.
I'm glad to have this behind me - the nastiness, the vandalism and personal attacks were unprecedented and uncalled for.
(And, Yes, I'm already reviewing 2008 election PDC reports as they are filed with the PDC).
My commitment to protect the pubic's right to know is not tied to any particular individual's campaign.
Why did I file a complaint against Dan Pike? Mr. Pike appears to believe that it is some sort of "personal vendetta." But Mr. Pike also had an established pattern of violations, as demonstrated by the e-mails between Mr. Pike's campaign and Randy Unruh, a Political Financial Specialist for the PDC.
Please note the dates of the correspondence. I gave Mr. Pike and his staff months to fix the errors before I filed a complaint. To claim otherwise is not only sour grapes, it’s divisive sour grapes, and unbecoming of the city’s chief executive office.
_____________________________________________
Randy Unruh
From: Randy Unruh
Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2007 3:36 PM
To: dan©pikeformayor.com’
Subject: PDC Reports
Mr. Pike,
I have been assigned to monitor your campaign, and hopefully keep on top of any problems before they turn into complaints. I have been assigned to monitor the candidates running for Mayor of Bellingham.
I have reviewed your reports that have been submitted to the PDC. Below is a list of errors that need to be addressed immediately.
The C-4 for the period 2-1-07 through 2-28-07 - You have a C-3 filed 4-20-07 for a deposit on 2-20-07 of $300; however on your schedule A and C-4 $0.00 is shown as cash received.
The C-4 for the period 3-1-07 through 3-31-07 — The carry forward balances for receipts and expenditures. They should match the ending balance from February of $1,474.73 for your receipts and $1,250.00 for your expenditures.
The C-4 for the period 4-1-07 through 4-30-07 — The receipt carry forward is $3,445.65. The ending balance for March was $2,966.96, these should match.
Amended schedule B # 100211305— Employer/occupation is missing for Laura Boynton and All Heugh. These need to be recorded every time for contributions in excess of $100.
C-3 for deposit on 4-25-07 — Laura Boynton employer/occupation is missing.
Schedule B #100212945 — all of the employer/occupations are not listed for contributions more than $100
C-4 for the period of 6-1-07 through 6-30-07 — Previous balance for receipts should be $10,676.14 you show $14,533.36.
Previous balance for ‘expenditures should be $8,068.37, you show $11,868.37. You show no deposits on schedule A but have C-3 showing deposits on 6-11-07 of $369.60, 6-22-07 of $2000.00, and A..21 -07 of $1 O0, for a total of $2,469.60.
C-3 # 100215323— no employer occupation for Edith Pike
C-3 # 100215324— No employer occupation for Alfred and Winnie Adrian
C-3 # 100218403— No employer occupation for Edith Pike, Anonymous money must be reported on line 1a, not in section 2.
Please repair these mistakes immediately.
You are in a hotly contested race and I am sure your financing will be looked at. If someone were to complain prior to you correcting these errors it may lead to an investigation and possible enforcement, which we are trying to avoid.
If I can be of assistance or you have any questions please feel free to contact me at (360) 753-1981 or by e-mail at
Randall R, Unruh
Political Finance Specialist
Public Disclosure Commission
_______________________________________________
From: Randy Unruh
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2007 11:15AM
To: ‘dan@pikeformayor.com’
Cc: Jennifer Hansen
Subject: RE: PDC Reports
Dan,
I am asking Jennifer Hansen, our filing specialist to help you in making the corrections. I am forwarding this e-mail as well as talk to her. She will get hold of you soon. Until that time don’t worry.
Randall R. Unruh
Political Finance Specialist
Public Disclosure Commission
_______________________________________________
From: dan@pikeformayor.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2007 9:05 AM
To: Randy Unruh
Subject: RE: PDC Reports
Mr. Unruh,
I am trying to correct the errors you pointed out in my PDC filings, but am having some trouble with finding where/how I can put edits in place. For example, there are several contributors who did not have occupations listed.
These are all retired people, and I did not realize there was a category for that under ‘Occupation, and now cannot find a way to edit the transactions to reflect that information.
I see a category titled ‘Bookkeeping Adjustments’ which says to contact PDC staff before using. Is that the right place to enter the changes I need to make? If not, where is it? If so, do you have any cautionary notes, advice, etcetera, before I attempt these changes.
Thanks for your help with this, and for your work in keeping our elections process honest and transparent.
Dan Pike
_____________________________________________
Original Message
Subject: PDC Reports
From: “Randy Unruh”
Date: Thu, July 19, 2007 3:36 pm
To: dan@pikefonnayor.com
Mr. Pike,
I have been assigned to monitor your campaign, and hopefully keep on top of any problems before they turn into complaints. I have been assigned to monitor the candidates running for Mayor of Bellingham.
I have reviewed your reports that have been submitted to the PDC. Below is a list of errors that need to be addressed immediately.
The C-4 for the period 2-1 -07 through 2-28-07 - You have a C-3 filed 4-20-07 for a deposit on 2-20-07 of $300; however on your 11/15/2007
_______________________________________________
Randy Unruh
From: Randy Unruh
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2007 9:50 AM
To: Ken Bronstein’
Subject: RE: refund contributions
Ken,
I’ll let Sally answer this one. I think she is off today.
Randall R. Unruh
Political Finance Specialist
Public Disclosure Commission
______________________________________________
From: Ken Bronstein
Sent: Sunday, October 14, 2007 7:28 PM
To: Randy Unruh; Sally Parker
Subject: refund contributions
Randy and Sally:
After looking over the Manual, we have decided that we must return the donations we received from Canadian donors, and also from another political committee. I have done the “refund contribution” transaction in ORCA in the expenditures section, and now need to correct the C3 reports, and amend the C4s.
It says to correct the transaction. Does that mean to un-deposit the funds, and delete or zero-out the donation?
Thank for your advice. I’d like to take care of this on Monday, so I can have everything correct before I file the 10/16 C4.
Ken Bronstein
Committee to Elect Dan Pike
______________________________________________
Randy Unruh
From: Randy Unruh
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2007 9:56 AM
To: ‘Ken Bronstein’
Subject: RE: 2 questions
Ken,
I’ll look at your submissions. Next time you can correct $ errors using a schedule C, that way you don’t have to correct all the subsequent filings. If you find another error contact Sally Parker or Jennifer Hanson and they will help you through the schedule C process. I’ll take a look at the McShane reports.
Randall R. Unruh
Political Finance Specialist
Public Disclosure Commission
_______________________________________________
From: Ken Bronstein
Sent: Saturday, October 13, 2007 12:58 PM
To: Randy Unruh
Subject: 2 questions
Randy, this is Ken Bronstein from the Dan Pike for Mayor Campaign. I do have a couple of questions.
First, we found an early in-kind donation entry that was not correct. The value was too high. We think it was just a key-stroke error. The transaction was from May, so I went to the original transaction, corrected the amount, and then amended the C4 report for that period, and each period since. Would you please take a look to make sure everything still looks correct? I think I did it right, but just want to make sure.
Secondly: our opponent’s (Dan McShane) C4s show a significant amount of expenditures to the candidate’s wife (Lisa McShane). There are descriptions of the types of expenditures (campaign signs, event, etc.) but no disclosure that I can see of the original vendor who provided the goods/services. Shouldn’t there be some more information available, or is there somewhere else to look for this information? I know the regulations state that there must be receipts to back up these charges. On the occasions where I’ve reimbursed our candidate for out-of-pocket expenses, I’ve listed the vendor whom he paid in the description on the C4 (and kept the receipts, of course).
Thanks for your help.
Ken Bronstein
______________________________________________
Randy Unruh
From: Randy Unruh
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2007 9:48 AM
To: Ken Bronstein
Subject: RE: 2 more questions
Ken,
NO. You cannot accept donations from out of country. NO. A candidate committee cannot make donations from one candidate committee to another. There are very specific instructions on what can and cannot be done with surplus campaign money.
Randall R. Unruh
Political Finance Specialist
Public Disclosure Commission
______________________________________________
From: Ken Bronstein
Sent: Saturday, October 13, 2007 3:31 PM
To: Randy Unruh
Subject: 2 more questions
Randy, 2 more questions have come up.
1) Is it allowable for our campaign to accept a donation from a donor in Canada? One donor is a relative, and the other is a business.
2) We received a $500 donation from the campaign committee for another candidate. This is a current city council member, and the donation is from donations she had received during a previous campaign for her current seat.
Thanks again!
Ken Bronstein
Committee to Elect Dan Pike Mayor
________________________________________________
Randy Unruh
From: Randy Unruh
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 4:47 PM
To: ‘Ken Bronstein’
Subject: Filing Errors
Ken,
The following errors need to be corrected:
• C-3 # 100226328 — Wes Frysztacki — No occupation
• C-3 # 100226329 — Shirley Zuanich — No occupation
• C-3 # 100226933 — Kim Erickson — No occupation - Christopher Grannis — No employer
• C-3 # 100227597 — Kim Erickson — No occupation
• C-3 # 100228158 — Gerry Wilbour — No occupation
When you list ‘self” as employer you still must list the donors occupation (i.e. consultant)
If you have any questions please call me at (360) 753-1981 or e-mail
Please make and notify me of the above corrections prior to October 25, 2007.
Randall R. Unruh
Political Finance Specialist
Public Disclosure Commission
_______________________________________________
Randy Unruh
From: Randy Unruh
Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 10:44 AM
To: Ken Bronstein
Subject: Complaint
Ken,
The PDC has received a formal complaint from Elisabeth Britt concerning the Dan Pike Campaign. This complaint is in a fact finding phase and may not be logged in. I have been able to dispel most of the complaint, but need some information on the remainder. Ms. Britt states that the Pike Campaign had three fundraising events recently:
September 18, 2007 — At the Bellwether Hotel
September 29, 2007 — At the American Museum of American Radio
October 3, 2007 —This was “Hosted by Developers”
I have found expenses for room rental for the musician and for Food and Beverages from Harborside Bistro, and in-kind contributions of food, catering, and Radio Museum room rental.
Where is the information on the Bellwether Hotel (Expenses or In-kind contributions) and the fundraiser hosted by the developers (room, food in-kind or expenses). Can you designate which of the recorded in-kind contributions and the expenses is for what fundraiser?
I need a written explanation now, and then we can decide how to record what is determined.
Thank you,
Randall R. Unruh
Political Finance Specialist
Public Disclosure Commission
______________________________________________
Randy Unruh
From: Randy Unruh
Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 1:33 PM
To: ‘Ken Bronstein’
Subject: RE: Complaint
Ken,
Thanks. I am preparing a ‘will not investigate memo now”. No further action will be taken.
Randall R. Unruh
Political Finance Specialist
Public Disclosure Commission
______________________________________________
From: Ken Bronstein
Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 12:13 PM
To: Randy Unruh
Cc: dan@pikeformayor.com
Subject: RE: Complaint
Randy, my comments are next to your questions below:
From: Randy Unruh
Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 10:44 AM
To: Ken Bronstein
Subject: Complaint
Ken,
The PDC has received a formal complaint from Elisabeth Britt concerning the Dan Pike Campaign. This complaint is in a fact finding phase and may not be logged in. I have been able to dispel most of the complaint, but need some information on the remainder. Ms. Britt states that the Pike Campaign had three fundraising events recently:
September 18, 2007 — At the Bellwether Hotel
September 2 2007 — At the American Museum of American Radio
October 3, 2007 — This was “Hosted by Developers”
I have found expenses for room rental for the musician and for Food and Beverages from Harborside Bistro, and in-kind contributions of food, catering, and Radio Museum-room rental.
Where is the information on the Bellwether Hotel (Expenses or In-kind contributions)
The invoice for Harborside Bistro was dated 10/2, although it was for the 9/18 event. The event took place in the Bistro, and there was no additional cost for “renting” the space. The space was included with the food and beverages.
and the fundraiser hosted by the developers (room, food in-kind or expenses). Can you designate which of the recorded in-kind contributions and the expenses is for what fundraiser?
The bill for the event on 10/13 came to a total of $3,200. The bill was split between 8 people as an in-kind donation, only one of which was a developer. The amounts were: Mischaikov $300, Barron $500, J. Swift $500, Thon $400, Fairbanks $250, Bradburn $250, Franklin $500, and L. Swift $500. Again, the space was included as part of the package for the catering.
I hope this answers all of the questions. Please let me know if you have any further questions, or need any more information. I can be reached by e-mail, or by phone.
Ken Bronstein
Treasurer, Committee to Elect Dan Pike for Mayor
I need a written explanation now, and then we can decide how to record what is determined.
Thank you,
Randall R. Unruh
Political Finance Specialist
Public Disclosure Commission
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