Kitzhaber Calls for Investigation of First Lady’s Activities

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber (D) has asked Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum (D) to conduct a “full and factual review” of issues surrounding his office’s handling of First Lady Cylvia Hayes’ contracts, the Oregonian reports.

“The governor had refused calls over the past few months to initiate an outside review but changed course with this announcement Monday morning. An investigation of a sitting governor appears to be unprecedented in Oregon history.”

Willamette Week: “Kitzhaber’s letter to Rosenblum today will allow his office to further delay producing public records. That’s because exemptions in the public records law allow public bodies—such as the governor’s office—to withhold records that may be involved in litigation, a criminal investigation or a personnel investigation until those proceedings are finished. In other words, what may look like Kitzhaber seeking an investigation could in fact be his attempt to prevent the public from finding out what really happened in his office.”