Oregon official resigns amid pot scandal
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan announced her resignation Tuesday amid sharp criticism from both Republicans and Democrats for having moonlighted as a highly paid consultant to a marijuana business.
Fagan, a Democrat, had apologized Monday for working for the marijuana company, which has a record of unpaid bills and taxes, but indicated she intended to serve the remaining two years of her term.
Making matters worse, Fagan worked for two months as a paid consultant for an affiliate of the company, La Mota, while her office was wrapping up an audit of the state’s pot regulator, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission.
The audit released Friday called for the commission to “reform” some rules for marijuana businesses, saying they are “burdens” when combined with federal restrictions on interstate commerce, banking and taxation. Fagan was absent during a Zoom news conference timed with the audit’s release.
Her spokesman said at that news conference that Fagan had recused herself from the audit, but it was too much for politicians across the political spectrum to swallow. Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp and House Republican Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson immediately called for her to resign.
Fagan’s consulting job paid $10,000 per month, with bonuses three times that amount if she helped the company get licensed in other states. The secretary of state’s salary is $77,000.
In a virtual news conference Monday, Fagan apologized for taking the outside job and attributed it to “poor judgment.” She said she had quit the moonlighting job, and on Tuesday she bowed to pressure to leave her elective office as well.
“It is clear that my actions have become a distraction from the important and critical work of the Secretary of State’s office,” Fagan said.