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ETHICS PROBE Auditor says Breidenthal's statements are 'inaccuracies' Eric Spivak defends decision to make ethics complaint Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Jan. 19, 2016 at 6:07 PM Updated Jan 20, 2016 at 9:45 AM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Jan. 19, 2016 at 6:07 PM Updated Jan 20, 2016 at 9:45 AM » RELATED CONTENT • Breidenthal says Jordan orchestrated ethics complaint » Social News Jackson County Auditor Eric Spivak is defending his decision to ask the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to investigate Jackson County Commissioner Doug Breidenthal, saying Breidenthal has made inaccurate statements about the probe. "There are certain factual inaccuracies that — if they get reported as factually correct — could erode public trust and confidence in government," Spivak said in an interview Tuesday. Spivak released a written statement Tuesday saying that he came to the decision independently to ask the ethics commission to investigate. He said he was not directed to do so by County Administrator Danny Jordan. On Friday, the ethics commission voted unanimously to launch an investigation after receiving a signed complaint by Spivak in October 2015 about possible ethics violations by Breidenthal. In a response to the vote, Breidenthal issued a written statement Friday saying the county administrator "directed staff to file the complaint." "That is not true," Spivak countered in his own written statement. Spivak said he made the choice himself to file the complaint and told the county administrator and county counsel about that choice during a closed-door meeting. "After hearing my explanation as to why I believed the complaint should be filed, the County Administrator agreed with and supported my decision," Spivak wrote. "That is not the same as directing." As county auditor, Spivak said his role is to provide independent oversight of the county on issues ranging from compliance with regulations to efficiency and effectiveness of operations. In his Friday statement, Breidenthal said the county administrator did not take the time to fully understand relevant laws before he directed staff to file a complaint. Spivak said county counsel fully researched the laws, and the research indicated Breidenthal may have violated laws. In its preliminary review, the ethics commission said Friday Breidenthal may have violated four provisions of Oregon law concerning the receipt of gifts valued at more than $50 from parties with interests before the Board of Commissioners, the use of an official position for financial gain and the proper reporting of payments to cover trip expenses. Spivak also disputes Breidenthal's statement that the filing of the complaint and subsequent review is "proving to be a costly endeavor for the citizens of Jackson County that could have been simply avoided if the administrator had asked for an opinion from the Oregon Ethics Commission." Spivak said the ethics commission will investigate at no cost to the county and the process will not prove costly. "If the public reads that (Breidenthal's statement), they could think we're spending all this money when we're not," Spivak said. In his statement, Spivak wrote, "I would like to assure the public that the only cost to the county has been a few dollars in postage spent mailing the documents to the commission and the cost of time spent researching and understanding state ethics laws, preparing documents for the ethics complaint, and time spent responding to inquiries from the press." Spivak said Breidenthal was encouraged to self-report his possible ethics violations to the ethics commission, but chose not to do so. "As a result, I chose to report the issue rather than ignore the question," Spivak wrote in his statement. Spivak wrote that everyone must remember the presumption of innocence, and he asked for patience as the ethics commission does its work. The ethics commission will have up to 180 days to complete its work, according to Ron Bersin, executive director of the Salem-based ethics commission. The ethics complaint centers around a campaign account set up to help Breidenthal win a seat on the board of the Western Interstate Region of the National Association of Counties. Contributions came in from interests that included American Indian tribes and trucking, lumber and energy companies. Breidenthal has said his seat on the WIR board gives him an increased ability to represent Jackson County's interests on the national level. He said in a statement that Oregon laws need to be clarified regarding local officials who campaign for positions that help them represent the state at higher levels. Ethics sanctions range from sending an educational letter to a public official to levying fines of up to $5,000 per violation, Bersin said. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . Jackson County auditor's response to Breidenthal's statement by Mail Tribune By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Jan. 19, 2016 at 6:07 PM Updated Jan 20, 2016 at 9:45 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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