Oregon Gov. Kate Brown Ignored Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest Involving Top Staffers
Two of Oregon Gov. Kate Brown's top staffers, both former lobbyists, are running the governor's office while juggling potential conflicts of interest, Williamette Week has learned.
The first potential conflict involves Brown's chief of staff, Kristen Leonard, and a company she and her husband own.
That company has a six-figure contract—soon to come up for renewal—to supply state government with computer software. Leonard's position as Brown's chief of staff gives the company a competitive advantage.
The second potential conflict involves the double employment of Brown's newly hired deputy chief of staff, Abby Tibbs. She was Oregon Health & Science University's top in-house lobbyist, but for the past three months, she has simultaneously overseen the preparation of the governor's budget—a document in which the university that employs her has a major financial interest.
Read more: http://www.wweek.com/news/state/2016/12/14/oregon-gov-kate-brown-ignored-undisclosed-conflicts-of-interest-involving-top-staffers/
[font color=330099]This is an issue that Governor Brown needs to address and alleviate so that the public's trust in her isn't tarnished.[/font]