Oregon Lawmakers Largely Silent on Rep. Greg Smith's Ethics Violations
Oregon lawmakers have mostly remained silent regarding state Representative Greg Smith's ethics violations, leaving the decision about his future to voters. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission recently fined Smith, a Republican from Heppner, $12,000 for breaching state ethics laws. The violations stem from his actions as director of a federally funded public development authority, where he allegedly abused his position to increase his own pay and approve his vacation time. Despite a directive from the authority's board to repay $33,000 that he maneuvered without their knowledge, Smith has retained the money. Smith denies intentional wrongdoing and agreed to pay the $12,000 fine to conclude the case, avoiding a contested hearing. This fine is one of the largest in Oregon's history for such violations. Smith, the state's longest-serving current lawmaker, has faced multiple ethics investigations, including two for failing to disclose clients of his private consulting company, for which he received formal ... 
