Ethics Chief Dismisses Complaints Against House Dems

State Ethics Commission director Ron Bersin quickly rejected complaints the Oregon Republican Party filed on Thursday against House Speaker Dave Hunt (PDF) (D-Gladstone) and Peter Buckley (PDF) (D-Ashland).

In dismissing the complaints, Bersin wrote that neither complaint provided evidence that either Democrat had violated ORS. 244.010 — the law outlining the "public trust" that Oregon GOP chairman Bob Tiernan alleged the two violated when they offered Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner) pork for his district in return for supporting a personal income tax increase.

Here's what Bersin told Tiernan about the complaints in a June 12 letter:

ORS 244.010, as a statement of policy, does not identify a specific prohibited action or restriction on a public official's activity. To initiate a preliminary review, upon receipt of a complaint, there must be specific provisions in Chapter 244 that the complainant believes were violated.