Pellicciotti stands up against corporate crime

Since 1924, the fine corporations can receive for committing crimes has been capped at $10,000. Under a new bill proposed by state Rep. Mike Pellicciotti, D-Federal Way, Class A felonies could be as high as $1 million.

HB 1806 would increase fines for corporations convicted of lower level crimes as well, including: up to $750,000 for a Class C felony; up to $250,000 for a gross misdemeanor; and up to $50,000 for a misdemeanor.

“As a prosecutor, I have seen corporate officers commit fraud and corporations walk away with a slap on the wrist,” Pellicciotti said in a press release. “That’s wrong, and it’s time for the laws to catch up to the times. This is an important first step in holding bad actors accountable to the public.”