Skip to main content
The Oregon Senate Democrats today filed an elections complaint against Sen. Alan Olsen (R-Canby), based on a story that appeared in wweek.com yesterday and in print editions of WW today.
The complaint alleges that Olsen violated Oregon's "undue influence" law, which prohibits candidates from offering something of value in exchange for a campaign contribution or vote.
"Alan Olsen and his campaign exercised undue influence because he solicited political contributions in exchange for a thing of value from Especially for You, violating the rules in the Oregon Campaign Finance Manual relating to ORS 260.665," wrote Tom Powers, executive director of the Senate Democratic Leadership Fund.
As WW reported yesterday, Olsen (R-Canby) had scheduled a campaign fundraiser for Tuesday, Sept. 9 at Especially For You, a Canby clothing boutique owned by his wife, Juanita.
The fundraiser, pitched at "ladies of the lobby," offered attendees a 10-percent discount on merchandise.
That set-up appeared to violate state ethics and elections laws, which prohibit the a public official using his office for personal gain and prohibit offering an inducement in exchange for political support.
The personal gain would come from any purchases attendees made, which would benefit Olsen and his wife and the inducement for support—attendees were encouraged to contribute $500 to Olsen's campaign—was the 10 percent discount.
Sandra Flicker, a lobbyist and one of the event's organizers, says after WW's story appeared online yesterday the fundraiser went forward but nobody was allowed to buy anything.
"We had a nice visit and some hors d'oeuvres but there was no shopping of any kind," Flicker says. "Juanita (Olsen's wife) closed the cash register at 5 pm and that was that."
Flicker says nobody intended to break any laws or do anything improper.
Updated at 10 am Thursday:
The Oregon Senate Democrats also filed a complaint on Wednesday against Olsen with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.
Michael Gay, a spokesman for the Senate Republicans did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
WWeek 2015