by AMANDA WINTERS
Sequim Gazette

The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission will not open a formal investigation into a complaint filed against Clallam County Prosecutor Deb Kelly's campaign for re-election.

In an Oct. 22 letter to JulieAnna Gardiner, who filed the complaint earlier this month, PDC Interim Executive Director Doug Ellis said no evidence was found that there were in-kind or monetary contributions made to the Kelly campaign by supporter Jay Ketchum other than what already had been reported.

Gardiner's complaint

alleged the use of Ketchum's cranes to display signs, his role in the production of signs and his construction of cement-filled tire sign holders among other things constituted about $54,446 worth of in-kind contributions.

Ellis wrote that the PDC made phone calls to Kelly and Ketchum regarding the allegations in the complaint.

"The hanging crane signs were placed on cranes that were idle and that were located on Mr. Ketchum's personal and rental properties," he wrote. "The tire sign hangers were already in place from past elections and are located on Mr. Ketchum's property. Such placement of signs is not unlike an individual placing signs on personal property and residential property and is not a contribution."

Ketchum said he didn't construct the signs he placed and the Kelly campaign delivered them to his business, Ellis said in the letter.

Kelly said she was "pleased but not surprised" by the decision of the PDC.

 Reach Amanda Winters at awinters@sequim gazette.com.