Feds investigate 5 state agencies (Fagan pot scandal)

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

Federal subpoenas have been issued by the U.S. Justice Department to five different Oregon State agencies.   The Oregon’s Department of Administrative Services, Department of Revenue, Government Ethics Commission, Oregon Liquor and Cannibus Commission and the Secretary of State’s Office.

The issues revolves around the Secretary of State, then Shemia Fagan, who held a third job as a $10,000 marijuana consultant while overseeing a State Audit of the marijuana industry.

The Taxpayers Association criticized the audit at the time saying, “The audit promotes that Oregon should “maximize cannabis as an agricultural commodity… to grow and expand the state’s economy” (p2) The audit wants to “position Oregon as a national leader” (p34) The audit wants Oregon to “support … increasing the quantity and diversity of Oregon products” (p34).   More pot and more pot products the audit says. The audit recommends reducing regulations and eliminating problems, some that only apply to the industry. The report sounds like State Government is choosing a specific industry to boost and use State resources to make it is a big and popular as possible. I wonder of the same rules applies to the timber industry?  Vaping?   Auto sales? How about maximizing charter schools? How about reducing regulations for ALL businesses?”

The scandal forced the Secretary of State Shemia Fagan to back-off from the audit, then drop her side job, then resign.

The scandal forced Governor Tina Kotek to return her $68,000 donation from the same pot business.

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