Oregon governor names new secretary of state after final one resigned over work for pot trade

PORTLAND, Ore. — LaVonne Griffin-Valade has been appointed Oregon’s new secretary of state, Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek introduced in a information launch Wednesday, filling the emptiness created when Shemia Fagan resigned final month over criticism for her consultancy work for a marijuana enterprise.

Griffin-Valade labored as a authorities efficiency auditor for greater than 16 years, in accordance with Kotek’s information launch.

“I know LaVonne Griffin-Valade first and foremost from her experience holding government leaders accountable, her ethical judgment and her reputation as a leader with a steady hand who rises above politics,” Kotek stated Wednesday, talking to reporters from the Oregon State Library within the state capital Salem. “Accountability and transparency are precisely what this role demands at this moment after the scandal in that office.”

Kotek added she thinks there must be “extra scrutiny” on the secretary of state with the intention to reestablish public confidence within the workplace, which oversees elections and audits state entities.

Fagan give up her publish in early May after coming below fireplace for her aspect work for as a paid advisor for an affiliate of marijuana retailer La Mota. Her consulting job, first reported by Willamette Week, paid $10,000 a month, with bonuses thrice that quantity if she helped the corporate get licensed in different states. The secretary of state’s wage is $77,000 yearly – established nearly a decade in the past.

Fagan began working for the marijuana enterprise in February whereas her workplace was wrapping up an audit of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. The audit, launched in late April, referred to as for Oregon’s marijuana regulatory company to “reform” some guidelines for marijuana companies, describing them as “burdens” when mixed with federal restrictions.

While Fagan had recused herself from the audit, she got here below stress from officers throughout the political spectrum following the revelations. Her resignation was welcomed by Speaker of the House Dan Rayfield, Senate President Rob Wagner, House Majority Leader Julie Fahey and Senate Majority Leader Kete Lieber – all of them fellow Democrats.

“Secretary of State Fagan’s severe lapses of judgment eroded trust with the people of Oregon, including legislators who depend on the work of the Audits Division for vital information on public policy,” they stated in a information launch May 2, the day she stepped down. “This breach of trust became too wide for her to bridge. Her decision to resign will allow the state to move on and rebuild trust.”

A observe has since been added to the duvet web page of the audit, saying the Audits Division is cooperating with an examination of the report being led by the Oregon Department of Justice.

“Shortly before publishing this report, the Audits Division identified a threat to the independence of this audit and … determined that the threat did not affect the audit report,” the observe says. “Should that examination reveal that the threat to independence affected the audit report, the Audits Division will withdraw, amend and reissue the report in accordance with auditing standards.”

Fagan’s consulting work for the La Mota affiliate additionally sparked concern because the enterprise got here below monetary scrutiny. The co-owner, her associate and the enterprise allegedly owe $1.7 million in unpaid payments and extra in state and federal taxes, in accordance with Willamette Week.

The co-owner has additionally hosted fundraisers for high Democratic Oregon politicians, together with Fagan.

Fagan apologized for taking the skin job and attributed it to “poor judgment.” She instructed reporters she is divorced with two younger youngsters and has pupil loans and different payments she stated her secretary of state’s wage was not sufficient to cowl.

The new secretary of state, Griffin-Valade, was employed as an auditor for Multnomah County, house to Portland, in 1998. She then served because the elected Portland City Auditor from 2009 to 2014, in accordance with Wednesday’s information launch.

After leaving workplace in 2014, Griffin-Valade earned a Master of Fine Arts in writing from Portland State University and pursued a writing profession, publishing private essays and a thriller guide sequence, Kotek’s workplace stated. She was born and raised within the excessive desert of jap Oregon.

“I have the experience to bring back credibility, accountability, transparency, and trust to the Secretary of State’s office,” Griffin-Valade stated within the information launch. “It’s never been more important to have a leader who will focus on rebuilding the public’s trust in the Secretary of State’s office, and that is exactly what I will aim to do every day.”

She will serve the remaining 18 months of the present time period. She will likely be sworn in Friday in Salem.

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