Complaint Opinion 20-08

Date

09/08/2020

Number

2020 – No. 8

Topic

Quid Pro Quo; Special Privileges

Respondent

Ann Rivers

Question/Complaint

Has RCW 42.52.140 (quid pro quo) or RCW 42.52.070 (special privileges) been violated when a member requests by that the person who made a campaign donation to the local Republican party ask that the party direct some of the donation to her campaign and states that such donation will solve problems for both of them?

Summary

No. A quid pro quo requires that a member ask for something specific in exchange for some specific reward or action. Although the ask in this matter was specific, the alleged reward “solving problems for both of us” was not specific. Member also did not violate the special privileges prohibition in this ask for the same reason.

Document

ETHICSCOM2020.08 (PDF 3.89 Megabytes)