Governor Kotek Issues Statement on External Review of OLCC Audit
Today, Governor Tina Kotek issued the following statement in response to the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) releasing an external review of the Secretary of State’s (SOS) 2023 performance audit entitled “Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC): Oregon Needs to Modernize Cannabis Laws to Help Grow the State’s Economy and to Ensure Equitable Opportunities and Benefits for all Communities.”
"Oregon's public servants look to performance audits conducted by the Secretary of State’s Office to understand how best to do the people’s business. Audits ensure that public resources are being well managed and that our government is held accountable for providing the best possible customer service. I called for an independent, external review of the OLCC audit because Oregonians needed to have a fuller understanding of the troubling events that shook the public’s trust in that office. Secretary Griffin-Valade has years of experience as a widely respected auditor, and I expect that this report will inform her ongoing efforts to make certain that Oregon’s audits are objective, independent, and meet professional standards.”
The Governor on April 28 requested this external review from the DOJ in response to reporting of possible conflicts of interest based on a private contract held by former Secretary of State, Shemia Fagan. Governor Kotek also requested an investigation by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, which is ongoing.
More information about the external audit can be found here.
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"Oregon's public servants look to performance audits conducted by the Secretary of State’s Office to understand how best to do the people’s business. Audits ensure that public resources are being well managed and that our government is held accountable for providing the best possible customer service. I called for an independent, external review of the OLCC audit because Oregonians needed to have a fuller understanding of the troubling events that shook the public’s trust in that office. Secretary Griffin-Valade has years of experience as a widely respected auditor, and I expect that this report will inform her ongoing efforts to make certain that Oregon’s audits are objective, independent, and meet professional standards.”
The Governor on April 28 requested this external review from the DOJ in response to reporting of possible conflicts of interest based on a private contract held by former Secretary of State, Shemia Fagan. Governor Kotek also requested an investigation by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, which is ongoing.
More information about the external audit can be found here.
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