The Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC) has dismissed complaints filed against members of the Josephine County Board of Commissioners, according to a media release issued by the county government. The complaints were brought forward by former Human Resources Director JJ Scofield and revolved around a meeting held on April 30, involving current commissioners John West (Board Chair), Herman Baertschiger Jr. (Vice Chair), and former commissioner Dan DeYoung.
The core of the complaint centered on potential violations of Oregon Revised Statutes 192.660(2), which govern the policies for holding executive sessions. These sessions are designed to discuss sensitive matters, such as personnel issues, outside of public view. However, any violation of the procedures outlined under this statute could result in ethics inquiries.
During its September 13 meeting, the OGEC reviewed the details of the complaints and concluded that no violations occurred, leading to the dismissal of the case. This decision ends the ethics investigation, clearing the commissioners of any wrongdoing related to the April 30 meeting.
No further details about the specifics of the dismissed complaints were disclosed, but the outcome signals a closure to the accusations made by Scofield regarding the executive session procedures.
