Oregon Ethics Commission to investigate Kitzhaber, Hayes

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted unanimously Friday to open a formal investigation into whether former Gov. John Kitzhaber and his fiancee, Cylvia Hayes, broke state ethics laws.

The investigation, which could take up to six months, will examine whether Kitzhaber and Hayes used their public positions for personal ­financial gain ­during Kitzhaber’s third term in 2011.

The ethics commission reopened its inquiry into Kitzhaber and Hayes last month after federal prosecutors decided against pursuing criminal charges following an 18-month FBI investigation.

In a nonpublic executive session Friday, the ethics commission received a ­briefing on the findings of a preliminary review by its staff.

Read more: http://registerguard.com/rg/news/local/35767020-75/oregon-ethics-commission-to-investigate-kitzhaber-hayes.html.csp