Complaint against Sen. Brown dismissed

OLYMPIA, Wash.-- Two complaints accusing Sen. Sharon Brown of failing to properly disclose assets to the state have been dismissed after the Senator was given the opportunity to update the records retroactively.

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) received two separate complaints, one from Kennewick City Councilman John Trumbo on July 2, 2020, and by one-time Richland City Council candidate Lillian “Randy” Slovic on July 15, 2020.

Both complaints accused Brown of violating of RCW 42.17A.710, by failing to to fully report assets on Personal Statement of Financial Affairs from 2015 to 2019, and failing to report debt for calendar years 2015 to 2018.

After reviewing the allegations and the response from Brown and her attorney, the PDC staff granted Brown’s to provide the necessary documents retroactively in regards to Trumbo's complaints, and determined that Brown was not required to disclose her now ex-husband's business debt on as alleged by Slovic's complaint.

"Although Sen. Brown was required to either include reportable financial interests of her former spouse’s business or timely request a modification to these reporting requirements, the Commission granted her retroactive reporting modification request, therefore relieving her of the obligation of full disclosure under chapter 42.17A RCW," the final report stated.

The PDC reminded Sen. Brown about the importance of the timely and complete disclosure of all personal financial information and the timely filings of all future disclosure reports in accordance with the statutes and rules, and dismissed the complaints.