Oregon Ethics Commission Rejects Plea Deal for Former Liquor and Cannabis Chief
The Oregon Government Ethics Commission has ruled that former Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) Executive Director Steve Marks should face a civil penalty exceeding $500 for using his position to obtain a highly coveted bottle of bourbon. This decision comes amid a scandal involving bottles of Pappy Van Winkle, a premium bourbon that is rarely available to the public due to high demand.
Marks, appointed by former Democratic Governor John Kitzhaber, resigned under pressure from current Governor Tina Kotek. Previously, he had negotiated a plea deal to pay a $500 fine for his actions. However, the commission, in a decisive 7-1 vote, rejected this agreement, emphasizing that Marks’ actions warranted greater accountability compared to other employees who also acquired bourbon outside the typical sales process.
David Fiskum, chair of the commission, stated that Marks, being a top executive, bore greater responsibility. OLCC’s Executive Director Susan Myers indicated that this practice of purchasing bottles from an internal reserve had been ongoing for over three decades, revealing systemic issues within the state’s liquor distribution.
The OLCC oversees hard liquor sales in Oregon, and prized brands like Pappy Van Winkle are typically offered to the public through a lottery system. For example, in 2022, only five 23-year-old bottles were included in a lottery with nearly 21,000 entrants. Ethic Commissioner Richard Burke expressed sympathy for Marks, noting that the former executive has already suffered considerable personal and professional backlash.
With the rejection of Marks’ initial deal, the ethics commission now plans to negotiate a more substantial penalty. This incident continues to highlight concerns about ethical standards in state agencies.
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