Tag

Shemia Fagan

All articles tagged with #shemia fagan

politics2 years ago•3 min saved

Oregon Governor Kotek Appoints New Secretary of State and Education Chief Amidst Scandal and Resignations

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has appointed LaVonne Griffin-Valade as the new secretary of state, filling the vacancy left by Shemia Fagan's resignation in May. Griffin-Valade, a former Portland city auditor, will serve the remaining 18 months of Fagan's term and will oversee the state's elections infrastructure, including the 2024 presidential race. The appointment aims to restore confidence in the Secretary of State's office after Fagan's scandal involving a private consulting job with a cannabis company while her office was formulating an audit on state cannabis regulations. Griffin-Valade's appointment comes as a surprise, as she left government service in 2014 to pursue a writing career, and it was expected that Kotek would choose someone who currently or recently held public office for the role.

via Oregon Public Broadcasting|

#elections #lavonne-griffin-valade #oregon

politics2 years ago•3 min saved

Kotek Appoints LaVonne Griffin-Valade as Oregon's New Secretary of State

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has appointed LaVonne Griffin-Valade, a former elected auditor for the city of Portland, as the new Secretary of State, replacing Shemia Fagan. Fagan resigned after it was revealed she had taken a consulting contract with a cannabis company while shaping a state audit of cannabis regulation. Griffin-Valade, known for her work as an auditor and her criticism of the Portland Police Bureau, will be sworn in on Friday. The appointment aims to restore confidence and prioritize accountability and transparency in the office.

via Willamette Week|

#appointment #lavonne-griffin-valade #oregon

politics2 years ago•4 min saved

"Oregon Secretary of State Resigns Amid Controversy and Interim Replacement Named"

Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan frequently traveled out-of-state for lieutenant governor events and leadership training during the six months before she resigned this week, while mostly keeping her daily work schedule to seven hours or less, according to calendars released by her office. Fagan took five out-of-state trips in the last six months, her calendars show. She resigned due to the fast-developing scandal around her secret, high-paying side job researching how owners of troubled pot chain La Mota could expand their business to other states.

via OregonLive|

#oregon #out-of-state-travel #politics

legal2 years ago•3 min saved

Shemia Fagan's Controversial Resignation and Potential Reinstatement

Shemia Fagan, who resigned as Oregon Secretary of State after admitting to moonlighting as a contractor for a cannabis dispensary chain, has sought reinstatement to the Oregon State Bar. However, at least one person has filed a complaint to block her reinstatement, citing ethical and legal violations. To be readmitted, applicants must demonstrate good moral character and general fitness to practice law. The CEO of the bar will ultimately decide whether to reinstate Fagan or refer it to the bar's board of governors for a decision, which will then be forwarded to the Oregon Supreme Court for a final decision.

via Willamette Week|

#cannabis #ethics #legal

politics2 years ago•9 min saved

Shemia Fagan's Resignation and the Cannabis Contracting Controversy

Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan resigned after admitting to signing a contract to work as a consultant for Veriede Holding LLC, whose principals are the owners of La Mota, the second-largest cannabis dispensary chain in the state. Fagan's decision to freelance for the troubled cannabis outfit led to a scandal that damaged her reputation and trustworthiness. Fagan was responsible for conducting elections, auditing state agencies and programs, and ensuring that companies doing business in Oregon were legally registered. Her resignation was supported by former Oregon governors and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden.

via Willamette Week|

#cannabis #oregon #politics

politics2 years ago•2 min saved

Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan Resigns Amid Marijuana Industry Controversy.

Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan has resigned after it was revealed that she had taken a side job as a consultant for a cannabis company while her office was auditing the state's marijuana program. Fagan's resignation will take effect on May 8, and Deputy Secretary of State Cheryl Meyers will take over the job on a temporary basis. Fagan apologized for undermining the public's trust and said she took the side gig due to low pay. Governor Tina Kotek supported Fagan's resignation, saying it is essential that Oregonians have trust in their government.

via The Hill|

#ethics-investigation #marijuana-industry #oregon

politics2 years ago•8 min saved

Shemia Fagan Resigns as Oregon Secretary of State Amid Cannabis Controversy

Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan has resigned amid controversy over her connections to a Portland marijuana company. Fagan had accepted a contract with private marijuana company Veriede Holding while her office was in the midst of an audit of the state's cannabis industry. Republicans had called for her resignation since last week. Fagan's resignation comes less than two weeks before the May 16 election. Deputy Secretary Cheryl Myers will serve as acting secretary of state in the interim.

via Statesman Journal|

#cannabis #ethics #oregon

politics2 years ago•2 min saved

Shemia Fagan Resigns as Oregon Secretary of State Amid Cannabis Consulting Scandal

Shemia Fagan, the Secretary of State for Oregon, has announced her resignation following a scandal over her acceptance of a $10,000-per-month contract as a cannabis consultant while her office audited state regulations on cannabis businesses. Fagan's deputy, Cheryl Myers, will take over until a successor is appointed by Governor Tina Kotek. Fagan's resignation comes after days of mounting pressure and scrutiny over her consulting work, which she maintains was in line with state ethics rules.

via Oregon Public Broadcasting|

#cannabis #oregon #politics

politics2 years ago•0 min saved

Oregon Secretary of State apologizes for cannabis consulting scandal.

Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan's annual government salary of $77,000 is significantly less than her counterparts in California and Washington, and members of local governments including the Portland City Council and the Multnomah County Commission. Fagan cited low pay as a factor in her decision to take on a side job as a consultant for a cannabis company, which has caused controversy.

via OregonLive|

#cannabis #oregon #pay

politics2 years ago•5 min saved

Oregon Secretary of State under scrutiny for moonlighting as marijuana consultant.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has called for two investigations into Secretary of State Shemia Fagan's actions after it was revealed that Fagan had accepted a job as a cannabis industry consultant while her office prepared an audit arguing for more lax regulation of the industry. Legislative Republicans have called for Fagan to step down, while top Democrats expressed concern and called for transparency. Fagan said she welcomes the inquiries and that her consulting work does not create a conflict of interest under Oregon law or ethics rules.

via Oregon Public Broadcasting|

#audit #cannabis-industry #ethics-investigation

politics2 years ago•6 min saved

Oregon Secretary of State's Ties to Cannabis Industry Raise Ethics Concerns During Audit.

Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan, who oversees the state's Audits Division, has been working as a paid consultant for Veriede Holding LLC, an affiliate of the troubled cannabis dispensary chain La Mota, since February. Fagan did not seek written advice from the Oregon Government Ethics Commission regarding potential conflicts of interest, nor did she disclose her outside income on her annual economic statements. Fagan's actions have raised concerns about conflicts of interest and ethical standards, particularly given her role overseeing state agencies.

via Willamette Week|

#cannabis-industry #conflict-of-interest #ethics