Feds investigate ex-Oregon secretary of state’s weed deal.

Shemia Fagan Under Federal Investigation for Ties to Cannabis Business

Federal officials have designated a grand jury to look into links between the Democrat and the company, according to The Oregonian.

Former Oregon Secretary of State, Shemia Fagan, is facing a federal investigation over her involvement with a cannabis business while in office. The investigation is focused on Fagan’s relationship with La Mota and its owners, Rosa Cazares and Aaron Mitchell, while she oversaw the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission.

Requesting Documents from Multiple Agencies

Authorities are requesting documents from several agencies connected to Fagan, including the Oregon Department of Revenue, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, the Secretary of State’s Office, and the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. The investigation is centered on Fagan’s ties to La Mota and whether there was any outside influence on her audit of the company.

Resignation and Calls for Investigation

Fagan resigned from her position on May 2nd after her ties to the cannabis company were made public. Governor Tina Kotek called for two investigations into a possible conflict of interest, one by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission and the other by the state Department of Justice to analyze the audit.

Consulting Firm Hired for Investigation

The Oregon Department of Justice hired a consulting firm, Sjoberg Evashenk Consulting, to investigate Fagan’s audit of La Mota. The firm will determine if there was any outside influence on the audit. The state will pay the firm $60,000 for their services.

Conflict of Interest Allegations

Fagan came under fire for accepting a $10,000-a-month consulting contract with La Mota and accepting advice for an audit of the company. La Mota’s CEO, Rosa Cazares, and Fagan shared numerous emails about language for the audit. Although Fagan recused herself from the audit, the language was nearly finalized by the time she stepped away.

The ethics commission inquiry into Fagan’s actions is ongoing, and they will determine if she violated state rules in her role.

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