State Agrees to Pay $1 Million to Mark Long to Settle Oregon Energy Department Investigation Case

Case stems from allegations former AG John Kroger violated a former state agency director's rights during a criminal investigation

Former Attorney General John Kroger
By WW Editorial Staff

The Oregon Department of Justice has agreed to pay a $1 million settlement to former Oregon Energy Department director Mark Long to settle claims the state violated his rights when it put him under criminal investigation in 2010.

The settlement, released to WW by Long's attorneys, is here.

The investigation stemmed from allegations he steered a contract to a firm co-owned by Cylvia Hayes, companion of Gov. John Kitzhaber.

The case and its messy fallout had already cost the state more than $1 million, as WW reported in a recent story about former Attorney General John Kroger. 

Dave Frohnmaye
Harrang Long
Stan Long
Bill Gary

WW
Bill Gary


Riddell, who has not spoken out about the Energy Department case, tells WW he was willing to take on powerful interests when pursuing the case. He also said the DOJ’s decision to settle means the public will never know all the facts. 

“I asked questions the politically connected and rich did not want asked,” Riddell says. “And the people or Oregon deserved a complete airing of all the facts in court, regardless of the costs.”

WWeek 2015

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