News The long saga of the Oregon Department of Justice's investigation into contracting practices at the Oregon Department of Energy has gotten even longer.First, a recap: DOJ began an investigation last August into whether ODOE employees had improperly steered a $60,000 subcontract to a Bend renewable energy consulting firm run by Cylvia Hayes, the longtime companion of Gov. John Kitzhaber. At the time ...   More

News Oregon Attorney General John Kroger announced today he is shutting down a Eugene lawyer's firm over complaints about its debt-collection practices.The lawyer, Derrick McGavic, was featured in a 2008 WW news story about lawsuits filed against McGavic alleging violations of the 1978 Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.“At a time when many Oregonians are struggling to manage their debt, the Department ...   More

News Attorney General John Kroger today announced the hiring of a business advisor. Since the economy tanked, virtually every elected official has become an economic development officer—witness newly elected Metro Council President Tom Hughes heading overseas to scout for jobs. But Kroger's foray into the field may be the greatest example of mission creep to date (although he's clearly got business leaders ...   More

News The Oregon War Veterans Association upped the ante this week in its legal battle with the Oregon Department of Justice. In February, the state Justice Department filed a lawsuit against the association, claiming its executive director, Greg Warnock, had diverted funds for personal use. Here is an extended statement Warnock issued this week in response to the lawsuit filed by Attorney General John Kroger's ...   More

News  On Feb. 15, Attorney General John Kroger filed a lawsuit [PDF] against the Oregon War Veterans Association, accusing director Greg Warnock of diverting $690,000 of the non-profit's money to personal use. Earlier, Ross Day, a lawyer representing OWVA, called the lawsuit a "political stunt." Day said Kroger's lawsuit aimed to discredit an organization that is active in supporting conservative causes.Day ...   More

News  On Feb. 15, Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian filed an unusual and contentious legal brief [PDF]. Although Avakian is an experienced  lawyer, it's unusual that a bureau head would write the document himself rather than employing a lawyer from the Oregon Department of Justice, as state agencies normally do. The brief is contentious because Avakian minces no words ...   More

News Attorney General John Kroger filed what promises to be an extremely interesting and controversial lawsuit today against the Oregon War Veterans' Association. The OWVA, a 501c(19) non-profit has been under investigation since last year as questions about its fund-raising and political activities mounted. The group has powerful supporters and allies, including Loren Parks, the reclusive medical-supplies ...   More

Politics Attorney General John Kroger is pushing the most ambitious rewrite of Oregon’s Public Records Law in three decades. But one aspect of his legislation may get him crosswise with Treasurer Ted Wheeler, a fellow Democrat and political rival.   More

News Last week, The Oregonian reported on details of an Oregon Department of Justice investigation into contracting practices at the Oregon Department of Energy. That investigation is politically fraught because it involves an ODOE subcontractor, Cylvia Hayes, who is the longtime companion of Gov. John Kitzhaber. The O based its reporting on a copy of the Justice Department investigative file that DOJ had ...   More

News  Gov. John Kitzhaber continued filling out his staff roster today, naming Liani Reeves as his general counsel. The position is important for at least two reasons: the general counsel trouble-shoots legal issues for the governor. And of greater interest to ambitious Oregon lawyers, the general counsel helps the governor appoint judges. Two other points worth noting: as a young woman who has been ...   More