The May 25 Mercer Island Reporter contained an article that contained a statement from Councilmember Dan Grausz. Below, without comment, is Mr. Grausz’s statement and a reply to my email received that same day from the Public Disclosure Commission.

Reporter article: Grausz wrote in an email to the Reporter, “Not only was the complaint dismissed within a matter of a few days after filing, but in the dismissal, the PDC, acting on its own initiative, made two separate findings of violations by (Concerned Citizens for Mercer Island Parks) CCMIP as to their campaign practices.”

PDC email: “Dear Carv, Thanks for your email. I can’t speak for Mr. Grausz’s characterization of our complaint return letter, or the accuracy of the Reporter’s quote. However, PDC staff have not received any complaint alleging violations of RCW 42.17A.555 by city of Mercer Island or Mercer Island School District officials in connection with campaign activity conducted by CCMIP activists. (Only public officials and employees are bound by RCW 42.17A.555, and our guidance to the two agencies was intended to assist their officials in complying with the law.)

Similarly, we haven’t received a complaint alleging violations of campaign disclosure requirements or other areas of law that apply to the CCMIP committee.

The only alleged violations I am aware were reviewed were those discussed in your complaint against Mr. Grausz.

Sincerely, Tony Perkins, PDC compliance and enforcement staff”

Carv Zwingle

Mercer Island