Four county officials fined for public disclosure violations

The elected officials failed to publicly report their financial holdings prior to a state deadline.

Four Island County former and current elected officials will have to pay fines for failing to publicly report their financial holdings prior to a state deadline.

Nancy Fey, commissioner for the Whidbey Island Hospital District, and former Island County Superior Court Judge Vickie Churchill were each fined $250 by the Public Disclosure Commission last week for failing to file F-1 reports by the April 15 deadline. The commission noted that they had no previous violations.

Oak Harbor Council-person Erica Wasinger and a Camano Island fire commissioner were each fined $150 for the same violations, though they are on a list of those who “did not sign a statement of understanding.”

The Public Disclosure Commissioner regulates candidates, campaigns and lobbyists. The commission collects and monitors disclosures that elected officials and candidates are required to make about their campaigns and financial status.

Among them are F-1s, which cover personal financial information such as property holdings and investments earnings. The statements allow the public to assess possible conflicts of interest.

Elected officials are required to file F-1s annually.