Ex-Gov. Kitzhaber feels ‘vindicated’ by no-charges decision
(Update: Statements from Kitzhaber, Secretary of State Richardson)
The U.S. Attorney’s office announced Friday that no criminal charges will be brought against former Gov. John Kitzhaber or fiancee Cylvia Hayes, more than two years after the governor resigned amid a cloud of allegations and scandal.
“The investigation by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation into the alleged misuse of former Governor Kitzhaber’s and Ms. Hayes’s positions for their personal benefit has concluded and no federal criminal charges will be sought,” the announcement said.
“The United States will not comment further on this matter,”the brief announcement concluded.
Kitzhaber surrendered to political pressure in February 2015 and resigned over allegations that Hayes used their relationship to win contracts for her consulting business and failed to report the income on her taxes.
Kitzhaber issued a statement saying the government’s decision vindicates him.
“It feels very, very good,” he said in a phone interview with KTVZ’s sister station, KGW. “Very good to feel vindicated, very good to have an opportunity to re-engage in issues that I care deeply about, and I’m looking forward to the future.”
As for the last two years, the former governor says it’s been frustrating.
“It’s difficult to have allegations raised against you and not really have a venue in which you can tell your story or defend yourself,” he said. “But the investigation was thorough by the federal government.”
He said he only resigned in 2015 because of the “media frenzy” surrounding the allegations.
Secretary of State Kate Brown assumed Oregon’s highest office after Kitzhaber ended his four-decade political career.
Kitzhaber and Hayes have spent much of their time in Bend, where she lived and runs a consulting business, and he had begun making some limited public appearances in recent months.
One unusual twist was when surveillance video captured the couple at the Knott Landfill recycling center and there was concern raised they were throwing away more than an old mattress and political signs.
Republican Secretary of State Dennis Richardson issued this statement:
“Today, the US Attorney announced the decision not to proceed with the federal prosecution of former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber. This decision does not change the fact that the Governor and Cylvia Hayes accepted money from those desiring to purchase influence.
“It is unfortunate that the recent US Supreme Court decision regarding influence peddling by former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell and his wife has set the bar so high that it is now nearly impossible to bring federal charges in political corruption cases.
“It is clear that Oregon and the nation still have a long way to go to restore trust in government. However, I’m grateful that Oregonians have placed me in a position to advocate for accountability and transparency in our state government,” Richardson continued.
