Cylvia Hayes accused of ‘bad faith’ in bankruptcy proceedings

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The Oregon Government Ethics Commission has accused former Oregon first lady Cylvia Hayes of using her bankruptcy proceeding to drag out a resolution of her ethics case months longer than needed.

The Statesman Journal reports that Carolyn Wade, a senior assistant attorney general representing the commission, made the claim in a Dec. 31 filing in Hayes’ bankruptcy proceeding. Hayes, a Bend resident, filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in July 2018.

In addition to up to $110,000 in possible civil penalties from 22 ethics violations, Hayes has a more than $124,000 judgment against her for a public records lawsuit The Oregonian won.

Wade said the bankruptcy proceeding is meritless.

The ethics commission ruled in January 2018 – six months before Hayes filed for bankruptcy – that she violated state ethics laws by using her position for the financial benefit of herself and her business.