Former Oregon governor cleared in influence-peddling case

Associated Press ^ | June 16, 2017 | Steven Dubois

[Twotone]

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber insisted he broke no laws, and federal prosecutors backed him up Friday, announcing that no criminal charges will be filed against Kitzhaber or his live-in fiancee over allegations she used their relationship to win contracts for her consulting business.

Kitzhaber surrendered to political pressure in February 2015 and resigned over allegations that Hayes used their relationship to win contracts for her green-energy consulting business and failed to report the income on her taxes.

The U.S. Attorney's office in Portland said in a brief statement that the criminal investigation that began more than two years ago is over and that no federal charges will be sought. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum previously announced the state would not bring charges.

"As I have said from the beginning, I did not resign because I was guilty of any wrongdoing but rather because the media frenzy around these questions kept me from being the effective leader I wanted and needed to be," Kitzhaber said in a statement. "Then there was the real investigation, not by reporters, but people with subpoena power and the ability to look at everything in context. They decided there was nothing to pursue."

[jimtorr]

KitzSlobber is a democrat, and he and his girl-friend are indeed guilty. He was not cleared of of the accusations, federal and state prosecutors simply did not charge him.

I almost wish he had not resigned. His Lt. Governor, who is now Oregon’s first lesbian Governor, is much worse that he was.

I am now a formerly proud Oregonian.

[HotHunt]

"....I am now a formerly proud Oregonian....."

I am just a formal Oregonian. It was way too liberal for me back in the late 70s when I left for Arizona.

[Portcall24]

“I am just a formal Oregonian. It was way too liberal for me back in the late 70s when I left for Arizona.”

Ha! I had to check the By Line. I thought I wrote that in my sleep and forgot. Came back from Vietnam in 1969 to Phoenix and then Virginia in 1978. I feel so sorry for my dear friends and classmates in Southern Oregon who have to put up with the crap from the Willamette Valley northward.