Cline won’t be investigated by campaign finance panel

The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission has decided not to investigate a complaint filed against Spokane Valley City Council candidate Marilyn Cline alleging that she was running a hairdressing business in her basement without disclosing the income as required on her candidate financial statement.

Cline holds a current license as a cosmetology operator, which allows her to cut hair, but she does not have a business license or the salon/shop license that are both required to operate a hairdressing business.

PDC spokeswoman Lori Anderson said candidates are required to report income received from a sole proprietorship, but not money received from individuals. “We couldn’t find that she had ever gotten a business license,” she said. “In our opinion, it’s not a structured sole proprietorship.”

If Cline did have a business license she would be required to report her income from cutting hair on the financial forms, Anderson said. Since she does not have one, her income is considered to be received from individuals.

Cline, who did not return a call seeking comment, has previously denied running a business in her basement. She said that sometimes people leave her gifts of cash or checks after she cuts their hair. “I cut hair,” she said.

Karen Towey, wife of Spokane Valley Mayor Tom Towey, said previously that Cline had cut her hair and described Cline’s basement. “It’s a regular shop,” Karen Towey said.

Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich also said previously that his wife has had her hair cut by Cline for years.

Anderson said it is not up to the PDC to determine if Cline should have a business license. “That’s not our call to make,” she said. That determination would be up to the Department of Revenue, but Anderson said the PDC has no plans to notify that department about the complaint against Cline.