More Tim Eyman legal troubles: 'Multiple apparent violations,' says PDC

Initiative promoter Tim Eyman: A case of "multiple apparent violations" by an Eyman political committee is set to go to the Attorney General for "appropriate action.". Initiative promoter Tim Eyman: A case of "multiple apparent violations" by an Eyman political committee is set to go to the Attorney General for "appropriate action.". Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close More Tim Eyman legal troubles: 'Multiple apparent violations,' says PDC 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

The state Public Disclosure Commission has flagged a Tim Eyman political committee for "multiple apparent violations" of state law and has sent the case to the Attorney General's Office for "appropriate action."

The recommendation, set to be finalized Friday by the PDC, deepens Eyman's legal troubles. It is the second case sent to the attorney general for action against the self-styled taxpayer watchdog, who has been sponsoring statewide initiatives for 17 years.

Eyman is falling victim to disclosure laws first put in place decades ago by a citizens initiative, which made Washington a pioneer in letting voters know who is paying for their politicians' campaigns.

In the first case, AG Bob Ferguson has just taken Eyman to court to secure financial records covering Eyman himself, several of his front groups and a signature-gathering firm. At the heart of the case is a PDC allegation that the signature-gathering firm kicked back money, much of which was put to Eyman's personal use.

The latest complaint deals with an Eyman-sponsored political action committee (PAC) -- "Bring Back our $30 Car Tabs -- Voters Want More Choices" that sponsored and aired 21 online videos that opposed 49 candidates for the Washington State Legislature.

The ads cost $45,318 and were apparently financed by $22,500 contributions from two wealthy supporters: Vancouver, Washington, developer Clyde Holland and Camas Investment CEO Kenneth Fisher.

According to a report by the Public Disclosure Commission, 10 of the 21 videos meet the statutory definition of "independent expenditures" under state law.

The state requires footprints on so-called "independent expenditure" ads, which often fill TV screens before election day with messages that are unremittingly nasty. By off-loading negative advertising on "independent" groups, candidates can make themselves appear to be running upbeat races.

According to the PDC, the 10 Eyman-sponsored videos did not include the disclaimer: "No candidate authorized this ad." The videos did not identify a sponsor's name, city or state. The videos incorrectly listed the required five leading contributors to the videos.

"Bring Back Our $30 Car Tabs -- VWMC," in its filing with the state, listed as its sole purpose support for a ballot initiative -- not attacking legislators. (The initiative was subsequently scrubbed.) The Eyman PAC did not file an amended form to update its purpose to attack legislators.

The PDC is throwing the disclosure rule book at Eyman.

The PAC has failed to disclose "update(d) information," failed "to disclose expenses incurred to oppose candidates for legislative office in a complete and timely matter," and failed "to include complete and accurate sponsor identification ..."

The Eyman video ads targeted a bevy of Democratic lawmakers. The targets included three legislators seeking statewide office: state Sens. Cyrus Habib and Steve Hobbs, who are running for lieutenant governor, and state Sen. Marko Liias, who is going for state treasurer.

State Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver, another Eyman target, is running against U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash.

Ferguson has taken a tough line via demanding documents in the first Eyman investigation. Snohomish County and Thurston County judges have given Eyman and his signature firm until next Wednesday to turn over financial records.

The complaint over the videos is of a kind that usually results in a fine, which can be hefty.

A complaint from a newly formed group, Washingtonians for Ethical Government, led to the Public Disclosure Commission investigation. The group is a "partner" of the Northwest Progressive Institute, whose liberal web activists have been bird-dogging Eyman for a decade. The complaint has clear Democratic footprints.

Eyman has since taken down the video attack ads and an accompanying website.