Oregon Ethics Commission Settles Cases with Former Officials
Salem, Ore. — The Oregon Ethics Commission has settled allegations against former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan and Steve Marks, the former Executive Director of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC), resulting in fines for both officials.
Fagan, who resigned in May 2023 amid controversy surrounding her consultancy for marijuana firm La Mota, was fined $1,600. The penalties stemmed from her travel expenses, which included trips with family members and her dog. Following a unanimous vote in August 2023 to investigate her financial activities, Fagan faced significant scrutiny for her actions while in office.
Marks, who also resigned after an internal investigation, was fined $500. He was implicated in purchasing rare whiskeys costing thousands of dollars a bottle, which limited public access to these sought-after items. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek described Marks’s actions as “wholly unacceptable,” leading to his resignation.
Despite the ethical violations, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced in May 2024 that OLCC employees would not face criminal charges related to the whiskey scandal.
The Ethics Commission is set to finalize the settlements at a meeting scheduled for this Friday. This conclusion marks a notable chapter in the ongoing focus on ethical governance and accountability in Oregon’s public sector.
As these settlements draw attention to the behaviors of state officials, the public is left to reflect on the importance of ethical conduct in government roles.
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