The Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit against the Washington State Republican Party (WSRP) last Friday for alleged violations of the state’s campaign finance disclosure law.

The suit stems from a complaint filed with the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) alleging that the WSRP had misused funds from its exempt account for three mailings in support of its gubernatorial candidate, Dino Rossi.

At its regular meeting on Thursday, Sept. 25, the PDC referred the case to the Attorney General’s Office.

The Attorney General’s Office accepted the case, reviewed the materials and confirmed there was sufficient evidence to file. The complaint was filed in King County Superior Court on Friday.

The office agreed with the PDC’s assessment that the WSRP had used exempt funds (funds that are exempt from contribution limits) for mailings in violation of the permitted uses under the campaign finance disclosure law. The court assigned the case to Judge Jeffrey Ramsdell and a trial date is scheduled for March 29, 2010.

The WSRP must respond and file an answer to the complaint within the next 20 days.

The Attorney General’s Office is seeking civil penalties and costs of investigation and trial, including reasonable attorney’s fees, injunctive relief and any other relief the court deems appropriate.