Photo: KATU
Then Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber resigned in 2015 in the midst of allegations his girlfriend Cylvia Hayes had accepted $200,000 for her consulting business that she received through her connection with the Governor.
That lead to an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. On Friday, the DOJ released the following statement:
The investigation by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation into the alleged misuse of former Governor Kitzhaber’s and Ms. Hayes’s positions for their personal benefit has concluded and no federal criminal charges will be sought. The United States will not comment further on this matter.
Governor Kitzhaber offered the following comment:
“As you know, over the last two years I have kept a low profile while resolving questions related to the federal investigation that began shortly after I was elected to a fourth term as Oregon's Governor. I'm glad to report the U.S. Attorney has concluded the investigation and found nothing to pursue. 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. Then there was the real investigation, not by reporters, but by people with subpoena power and the ability to look at everything in context. They decided there was nothing to pursue. So I'm back. I intend to continue to do what I’ve been doing for my entire adult life: trying to help Oregon deal with the challenges we face, in a way that moves us beyond the current political division and polarization and brings us back together as a community.”
One of the governor’s main critics was then-Representative Dennis Richardson who is now the Oregon Secretary of State. Richardson released the following statement:
Today, the US Attorney announced the decision not to proceed with the federal prosecution of former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber.This decision does not change the fact that the Governor and Cylvia Hayes accepted money from those desiring to purchase influence.
It is unfortunate that the recent US Supreme Court decision regarding influence peddling by former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell and his wife has set the bar so high that it is now nearly impossible to bring federal charges in political corruption cases.
It is clear that Oregon and the nation still have a long way to go to restore trust in government. However, I’m grateful that Oregonians have placed me in a position to advocate for accountability and transparency in our state government.
Dennis Richardson