Jefferson County treasurer Deena Goss resigns after conviction

Jefferson County Treasurer Deena Goss submitted her resignation on Wednesday, less than a week after a jury convicted her on 36 counts of theft, forgery and official misconduct.

A jury took about an hour of deliberation last Thursday to convict the treasurer on all of the charges against her, finding her guilty of altering checks paid to various county departments and pocketing cash.

Goss submitted a two-sentence resignation letter to County Clerk Kathleen Marston, “effective immediately,” signed by her and her attorney.

The Oregon Department of Justice prosecuted the case against Goss, who earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges after being indicted last year.

The case came to light when a resident who bought dog licenses in late 2013 reported that $46 was taken from his account, rather than the $26 shown on his receipt.

County Administrator Jeff Rasmussen said Thursday that ORS 236.210 says that the Board of County Commissioners shall appoint a person to perform the duties….until the vacancy is filled by election.

He said commissioners will discuss the vacancy at their next regular meeting, scheduled for Nov. 25.

“We have not had the opportunity to discuss the election timing with the County Clerk Kathy Marston,” Rasmussen added.

ORS 236.220 says that between the time of a vacancy and the time when the person appointed by the commissioners to fill the vacant office (until the vacancy is filled by election), the chief deputy of the affected office shall perform all the official acts and duties, Rasmussen said.

Goss appointed Kathie Rohde as “deputy treasurer” on April 10, 2014. Since that appointment was still in place, Rasmussen said Rohde is able to continue performing all the official acts and duties of the treasurer’s office..

After last week’s conviction, Jefferson County commissioners had issued the following public statement:

“The Board of County Commissioners has learned that County Treasurer Deena Goss was found guilty in a jury trial regarding 36 charges initiated by the Oregon Department of Justice.

“Conviction of those charges will not require Treasurer Goss to resign from her position of County Treasurer. The sentencing will occur on December 1st at 2:00 PM at the Jefferson County Courthouse. Treasurer Goss’ term will not expire until December 31, 2016.

“The Board of County Commissioners respectfully requests that in light of the conviction that Treasurer Goss resign her position immediately.

The citizens of Jefferson County should expect that elected officials hold themselves up to the highest standard of trust, honesty, and integrity. An elected official that does not resign upon conviction of a felon is incongruous, repugnant, and offensive.

“The Board of County Commissioners will discuss making this resignation request an official joint letter to Goss during the November 4th meeting.

“In April 2014, ODOJ initiated a review of public records relating to financial irregularities in the County Treasurer’s Office. In fulfilling their fiduciary responsibilities to safeguard taxpayer funds, the Board of County Commissioners reassigned certain duties dealing with county finances to different individuals at that time.

“In May 2014, the Commissioners removed the salary of the Treasurer’s position and implemented an “hourly stipend” system for the Treasurer. Treasurer Goss has not received any compensation since that time.

“When the ODOJ investigation began, Treasurer Goss put herself on administrative leave and appointed another county employee as “deputy treasurer” to fulfill the statutory responsibilities of the Treasurer.

“If County Treasurer desires to reestablish herself into her statutory responsibilities, the Board of County Commissioners will prohibit any cash handling and check writing authority.

“If she does return to work, the “hourly stipend” system adopted by the Commissioners will pay her $30.81 per hour. It provides for a maximum of 200 hours per year with a maximum of 20 hours in any one month. The hourly stipend is the only compensation the Treasurer receives. There are no additional benefits.”