Ethics probe fines ex-Oregon Secretary Fagan, OLCC's Marks for misconduct

SALEM, Ore. (KATU) — The Oregon Ethics Commission has reached settlements with former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan and Steve Marks, the former Executive Director of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission.

READ MORE | Oregon Ethics Commission votes to investigate Fagan's travel expenses

According to the settlements, Fagan will be fined $1600. The fines are related to Fagan’s travel inside and outside of Oregon, including trips with her children, a romantic partner, and the family dog.

The commission voted 7-0 to investigate Fagan in August 2023. She resigned from the position of Secretary of State in May 2023 due to a scandal surrounding her job as a consultant for La Mota, a marijuana business.

Steve Marks, the former Executive Director of the OLCC, will be fined $500. He resigned after an internal investigation found that Marks and other members of the OLCC were buying rare whiskeys that run thousands of dollars a bottle, diminishing the limited supply available to the public.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek had called for Marks resignation, which he honored. Kotek called the abuse of power “wholly unacceptable.”

In May of 2024, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced that the employees of OLCC would not face criminal charges in relation to the scandal.

The ethics commission will meet this upcoming Friday to finalize the settlements.