State

Owner of La Mota Issued $7.9 Million in Liens

The Oregon Department of Revenue issued five tax liens to Mitchell and dozens of his LLCs in June, July and again in August for unpaid balances stemming from taxes due as far back as 2020.

By Sophie Peel
Aaron Mitchell and Rosa Cazares (Courtesy of The New Era)

Aaron Mitchell, owner of the troubled cannabis brand La Mota, recently had more than $7.9 million in tax liens issued against him by the state.

The Oregon Department of Revenue issued five tax liens to Mitchell and dozens of his LLCs in June, July and again in August for unpaid balances stemming from taxes due as far back as 2020.

A June 4 lien reflects an unpaid balance of $5.5 million in marijuana, personal income and withholding taxes—including $3.4 million owed for personal income tax from 2021, according to the public document. (Interest and penalties add $1.8 million to the total.)

A July 2 lien reflects an unpaid balance of $183,000 for the corporate activity and marijuana taxes, and a July 30 lien reflects an unpaid balance of $2 million for additional marijuana, personal income and corporate activity taxes.

La Mota’s dealings with then-Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan forced her from office in 2023.

Mitchell and his business partner, Rosa Cazares, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Sophie Peel

Sophie Peel

Sophie Peel covers City Hall.

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