Can Zack map himself out of Public Disclosure Laws?

POSTED 19 June 2023

UPDATE 6/22/23 - The PDC decided today that the Zack Zappone compliance case will be carried over to their July meeting.

SPOKANE, WA – The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) will hold a rare not-in-Olympia meeting in Spokane on Thursday June 22 11:30 to 4:30 at the Spokane Convention Center. Topics on the agenda include an enforcement hearing on Spokane City Council Member Zack Zappone.

The agenda and public participation information can be found here. The PDC Spokane visit announcement includes,

“We want to bring home the PDC’s work to ensure transparency in Washington campaign spending. That’s why the Commission is heading to Spokane this month to discuss and get input on the many issues at play in campaign finance and lobbying disclosure today,” said Commission Chair Fred Jarrett.

Spokane’s own Nancy Isserlis is the Vice-Chair of the PDC. Spokane Auditor Vicki Dalton will provide an update on election law from 3:45 to 4:15.

COMPLIANCE HEARING OVERVIEW

Zack Zappone has been formally charged by PDC Staff for failing to disclose donor information for his 2021 campaign for Spokane City Council. The full Zappone case record can be found here.

Earlier this year, Zappone was issued a written warning by the PDC on a separate matter for failure to file his required annual financial affairs statement. The PDC was likely not impressed with the curt and irreverent message in Zappone’s official response to his filing status. Zappone wrote,

“Hello – I submitted my F-1 on April 29th. It was late because I forgot about the deadline. I completed it before receiving information about this complaint. Best, Zack”

The PDC has confirmed that they issued seven reminders to Zappone. Zappone is also reeling from accusations of gerrymandering and an ethics complaint regarding his actions during the 2022 Spokane Council district revision process.