Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan introduced Tuesday she is going to step down from workplace subsequent week amid an ethics investigation into her $10,000-a-month facet job for an embattled hashish firm. Photograph courtesy of Oregon secretary of state’s workplace
Might 2 (UPI) — Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan introduced Tuesday she is going to step down from workplace subsequent week amid an ethics investigation into her $10,000-a-month facet job for an embattled hashish firm.
“Whereas I’m assured that the ethics investigation will present that I adopted the state’s authorized and moral pointers in attempting to make ends meet for my household, it’s clear that my actions have grow to be a distraction from the essential and significant work of the secretary of state’s workplace,” Fagan mentioned in a press release.
Fagan’s resignation comes after it was found that she had taken a paid consulting place with marijuana firm Veriede Holdings throughout a cannabis-wide business audit by the Oregon Liquor and Hashish Fee.
Fagan will wrap up her duties on Might 8, when Deputy Secretary of State Cheryl Myers will take over. Gov. Tina Kotek will appoint a brand new Secretary of State to serve out the rest of Fagan’s time period, which runs by means of January 2025.
“This morning, Secretary Fagan knowledgeable me of her choice to resign. I help this choice. It’s important that Oregonians have belief of their authorities,” Kotek mentioned Tuesday.
“I imagine it is a first step in restoring that belief. Throughout the upcoming appointment course of, my workplace will do all the things doable to help the hard-working workers within the secretary of state’s workplace and guarantee this won’t disrupt the Might 16 election,” Kotek added.
Fagan was elected Oregon’s secretary of state in 2020 and makes $77,000 yearly. She mentioned her low pay and the necessity to help her two youngsters prompted her to take a second job. Fagan is the second highest-ranking public official in Oregon, as a result of the state has no lieutenant governor.
“Defending our state’s democracy and guaranteeing religion in our elected leaders — these are the explanations I ran for this workplace,” Fagan mentioned. “They’re additionally the explanations I will probably be submitting my resignation as we speak.”
