Judge rules Tim Eyman broke campaign finance laws, failed to report over $766,000 in donations

SEATTLE — A judge ruled Friday that Tim Eyman committed more than 100 campaign finance violations by concealing more than $766,000 in campaign contributions.

Documents state that it is an "undisputed fact" that Eyman solicited contributions to compensate himself for promoting anti-tax ballot propositions.

The ruling continues on to say that by failing to report these contributions over several years, Eyman was in violation of the Fair Campaign Practices Act.

"Eyman is being held in contempt of court - and today's ruling reveals his contempt for our campaign finance laws," Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in a statement.

Campaign finance law in Washington allows penalties of up to $10 per day that the report is late - the judge ruled that the 110 reports are a combined 173,862 days late. Eyman could also face an additional penalty of $766,447, the amount he failed to report.

The penalty for these violations will be decided in July, following the trial on the remaining issues in this case.

The original campaign finance lawsuit was filed against Eyman in March 2017, with Ferguson alleging improper personal use of contributions made to political committees, concealing of contributions and misleading reporting, according to a press release from the attorney general's office.

Eyman is currently a Republican candidate for Washington governor, challenging Gov. Jay Inslee this coming November.

Eyman’s attorney, Richard Sanders, said he respectfully disagrees with the judge’s ruling, believing it was contrary to the facts, the law and the Constitution. Sanders noted the ruling is not a final ruling subject to appeal and may be revised by the judge anytime prior to final judgment.

“Contributions to a politically outspoken individual intended and used to survive the AG’s attacks on him and his family are not reportable under the statute,” Sanders’ statement said in part. “No case has ever held they are in this state, or anywhere else. This is bizarre and unprecedented. It is an effort to ruin Mr. Eyman’s reputation and prevent him from speaking out. Moreover, it also violates Mr. Eyman’s First Amendment right to freedom of speech and association.”

© 2020 Cox Media Group