Transition away from Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber speeds ahead

PORTLAND, Ore. — With time running out before Gov. John Kitzhaber leaves office amid an ethics scandal and criminal investigations at both the state and federal level, he remained out of public view Monday, the Legislature tried to get its new session back on track and death penalty opponents made a last-minute appeal.

House Speaker Tina Kotek briefed reporters on the Legislature’s plans and made clear she’s not seeking the secretary of state post that will become vacant Wednesday when Kate Brown is sworn in as Oregon’s next governor.

“I am not interested in being the secretary of state. My job is here,” Kotek said. She would not speculate on whom Brown will appointment and has not made contingency plans, should that person come out of the House.

Brown’s spokesman, Tony Green, said Monday was a day of transitioning and could not identify Brown’s replacement, but by midday, he announced that Brian Shipley will be Brown’s chief of staff. Shipley was a deputy secretary of state under Brown until he took a job as a lobbyist for Oregon Health &Science University in 2013. He has worked for Govs. Kitzhaber and Ted Kulongoski as well as Senate President Peter Courtney.

Kitzhaber announced his resignation Friday [—] the same day federal prosecutors sent a subpoena to the Department of Administrative Services demanding that it bring a laundry list of documents and records relating the governor and his fiancee, Cylvia Hayes, to a federal grand jury on March 10.

Hayes faces allegations she used their relationship to win contracts for her consulting business and failed to report income on her taxes.

Legal experts say the subpoena indicates federal agents are investigating possible violations of public corruption laws and financial crimes, including wire or mail fraud, bribery and tax evasion.

The state attorney general’s office is also conducting an investigation into Hayes.

In a letter made public Monday by The Oregonian newspaper, the attorney general’s office denied Hayes’ claims that the newspaper can’t have her emails because she’s not a public official. Deputy Attorney General Fredrick Boss said although Hayes was not in a paid position, she advised the governor, worked on state business and directed state employees in their work. He ordered the emails released.

Kitzhaber and Hayes have not responded to numerous requests for comment. Kitzhaber’s only response to the scandal was a lengthy resignation letter in which he emphatically stated that he did not break any laws or do anything “dishonest or dishonorable.”

Kitzhaber has indicated he would step down Wednesday.

In a meeting with reporters, Kotek said “clearly the last week has been very emotional for everybody.” She said she wanted to assure the state that the Legislature is “very focused on the people’s business” and would be “focused on the work ahead this week” despite the change in leadership.

Kitzhaber had ordered a moratorium in 2011 on executions, and on Monday, Oregonians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty urged him to again “do the right thing” by commuting the sentences of the state’s 35 death row inmates to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

If Kitzhaber declines to order the commutation, the group encouraged Brown to continue the moratorium on executions.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.