The Oregon Department of Justice is opening a criminal investigation into allegations that senior officials in the state’s alcohol regulatory agency violated ethics laws by diverting rare bourbons for personal use.
FILE - Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum poses for a photo at her office in Portland, Ore., on July 13, 2016. Rosenblum announced Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, that the Criminal Division of her agency, the Oregon Department of Justice, is opening a criminal investigation into the matter involving ethics violations related to the purchase of liquor by some staff of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission and possibly others.
The practice consequently deprived well-heeled whiskey aficionados among the public of the tiny-batch boutique bourbons. Kotek also asked Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum to conduct an independent civil investigation. Instead, the justice department's criminal division opened an investigation, Rosenblum announced, adding that a civil probe would come later.
Chris Mayton, distilled spirits program director, who was one of the people accused of abusing his position, told the OLCC investigator that he had served as a “facilitator” for commission employees and legislators hundreds of times in acquiring the whiskeys as part of his work duties. He did not name any lawmakers.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Love of rare liquor lands Oregon officials in criminal probeThe Oregon Department of Justice is opening a criminal investigation into allegations that senior officials in the state’s alcohol regulatory agency violated ethics laws by diverting rare bourbons for personal use
Read more »
Heads may roll in Oregon agency due to love for rare bourbonOregon Gov. Tina Kotek has asked the board of commissioners of the state’s marijuana and alcohol regulating authority to remove its executive director and other leaders who allegedly abused their position for personal gain.
Read more »
Man rescued from sinking yacht in Oregon allegedly left dead fish at 'Goonies' house days earlierASTORIA, Ore. — A man saved from a sinking yacht was later identified as a wanted suspect who allegedly left a fish on the porch of the house from The Goonies in Oregon, police said.
Read more »
Oregon weighs nixing residency requirement for euthanasia, officially opening door for suicide tourismOregon is weighing a bill to officially repeal the residency requirement for physician-assisted suicide after the state reached a legal settlement last year to stop enforcing it.
Read more »
Oregon officials lose their job after keeping rare Pappy Van Winkle bourbon for themselvesOregon’s liquor and marijuana officials paid for the whiskey, which can cost thousands of dollars a bottle, but used their knowledge and connections to obtain them.
Read more »
Remains found in 1989 identified as Oregon man missing since 1964A man disappeared as he tried to cross a river during a large flood in Oregon in 1964. Rafters found his remains, and authorities said a DNA test later confirmed his identity.
Read more »