Complaint Opinion 99-01
Date
03/18/1999
Number
99-01
Topic
Special privileges - campaign contributions - quid pro quo
Respondent
Rep. Tom Mielke, Rep. John Pennington
Question/Complaint
It was alleged that Respondents accepted campaign contributions from a group, thereafter pushed the group's agenda, and then intimidated state employees to make certain decisions favorable to the group. Also alleged that respondents failed to respond to complainant's request to have a meeting.
Summary
There was no evidence in support of the intimidation allegation. Ethics law doesn't require a legislator to respond to a constituent's request for a meeting. Acceptance and reporting of permissible campaign contributions is not probative of any alleged violation of the Act nor is the act of "pushing an agenda" of a campaign contributor. "Quid pro quo" allegation involves looking for conduct which offers or appears to offer something specific in exchange for something specific. RCW 42.52.070 and 42.52.140. Dismissed.