ethics

A former commissioner in Josephine County successfully got an ethics complaint about an alleged conflict of interest dismissed by the state.

The former executive director of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission had agreed to the deal, but ethics commissioners said the negotiated fine is not stiff enough.

“I know my actions were indefensible,” she told the state ethics commission.

State lawmakers have introduced at least a dozen proposals that would make it harder to confront local officials at public meetings, shield more information from the public and relax rules on financial reports.

Political committees now have state regulators’ OK to create an unlimited number of affiliated committees with different leaders, and then closely coordinate fundraising and candidate donations among them.

Four board members of Klamath County Fire District 3 are being investigated by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission for potentially violating Oregon Public Meetings Law.

Watchdog groups are calling for the state to require more transparency from lobbyists who work for both fossil fuel companies and governments and environmental groups fighting against climate change.

The document doesn’t clarify key questions raised earlier this year, when three aides left the governor’s office after raising concerns about first lady Aimee Kotek Wilson’s expanding authority.

A $6 million land deal between Eureka's school district and a mysterious developer has drawn controversy in recent months over its lack of transparency and possible violations of state codes.

While not surprising, the findings could pave the way for an expanded role for Kotek Wilson in the executive office on a volunteer basis

An investigation by Josephine County found Commissioner Dan DeYoung violated its sexual harassment policy during a July 2 meeting.

Panel evenly split over whether to investigate case further, ethics chair pushes for a deeper investigation.