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CONTINUING COVERAGE: BREIDENTHAL Commissioner faces criminal investigation Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Mar. 11, 2016 at 4:08 PM Updated Mar 11, 2016 at 5:26 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Mar. 11, 2016 at 4:08 PM Updated Mar 11, 2016 at 5:26 PM » Social News Jackson County Commissioner Doug Breidenthal is under criminal investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice in a probe that parallels a separate investigation by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. “I do not believe that I have committed any criminal conduct,” Breidenthal stated in an email response Friday. “First, I want to say that I welcome these investigations so that the truth may be revealed.” Breidenthal said he’s not privy to the full scope of the Justice Department investigation, though he said the DOJ is looking into the same issues as the Ethics Commission. Kristina Edmundson, spokeswoman for the Justice Department, said she couldn’t provide any additional information at this point. “It is still an ongoing investigation,” she stated in a Friday email. The Ethics Commission, which has suspended its inquiry pending the outcome of the Justice Department investigation, has looked into a number of possible violations of Oregon laws regarding an Association of Oregon Counties’ campaign account that Breidenthal initially used to run for an office on the Western Interstate Region, a land-use reform group. The Ethics Commission started its investigation after a preliminary review found there was “substantial objective basis to believe that violations of Oregon government ethics law may have occurred, and that Mr. Breidenthal may have committed such violations.” The commission investigation was triggered by an ethics complaint filed by Jackson County Auditor Eric Spivak. The Ethics Commission's preliminary review said Breidenthal may have violated Oregon law concerning the receipt of gifts valued at more than $50 from parties with interests before the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, the use of an official position for financial gain and the proper reporting of payments to cover trip expenses. Once justice officials conclude their inquiries, the Ethics Commission plans to restart its investigation. According to a recording of the Ethics Commission’s Feb. 26 meeting, commission officials said the Justice Department was running a “parallel” investigation. Commission officials said they could “benefit” from additional information gleaned from the outcome of the DOJ inquiry. The officials noted that their own inquiry might be hampered in the near term because Breidenthal may not want to discuss anything while he is under criminal investigation. When the Association of Oregon Counties account was set up in 2014, it was to be used by Breidenthal for campaign activities related to positions he sought with other organizations. The account was named “Friends of Doug Breidenthal,” which was the same name used by Breidenthal for a separate account when he ran for county commissioner. The AOC account received $12,900 in donations, many of which were from companies that do business with Jackson County. Breidenthal also made a campaign contribution of $1,000 to Rick Dyer when the latter was running for county commissioner. Breidenthal has maintained that he thought he was using the account properly. “I was advised and guided by AOC personnel, as well as county officials,” he stated. “I did so with their encouragement and support. Based upon the advice and guidance that I received, I felt that the account was set up and used properly at all times.” Breidenthal said other Oregon public officials have set up similar accounts. “For the sake of all elected officials, I welcome final determination regarding these activities by both the DOJ and Oregon Ethics Commission,” he stated. Breidenthal said he thought the Justice Department investigation started after he contacted Jackson County Sheriff Corey Falls, saying the ethics complaint was an attempt by Jackson County Administrator Danny Jordan to coerce him. Breidenthal said that after he contacted Falls, the sheriff referred the complaint to the Oregon Department of Justice. Breidenthal also has come under criticism by his fellow commissioners because of his extensive traveling on county business over the past three years and for missing county meetings. His travel expenses have amounted to $73,000, not including the separate AOC account. Dyer said he hopes Breidenthal is found not guilty after the investigations are concluded. “He’s still innocent until proven otherwise,” Dyer said. “I am really looking forward to the whole specter of all this going away.” Dyer said he hasn’t been contacted by any agency about the contribution he received from Breidenthal. Dyer said there have been awkward moments among county commissioners of late, but the county’s business continues to get done. “I won’t say that Doug is not doing his job,” he said. “He has weathered it fairly well.” As to Breidenthal’s traveling on county business, Dyer said, “I won’t say his travel has slowed down.” But Dyer said he and Commissioner Colleen Roberts also have looked at requests for travel more closely and have said “no” to some requests. With the May primary just two months away, Breidenthal’s criminal investigation could become a campaign issue. Former Medford Councilor Bob Strosser and Gordon Challstrom are Breidenthal’s two opponents on the Republican ballot. Both Strosser and Challstrom have said they wouldn’t make a campaign issue out of any investigation against Breidenthal. “I’m not going to get down in the mud,” Challstrom said. “I don’t hit people below the belt.” Challstrom said he would respond to questions about the issue if asked by voters. “I’m really so sorry to see that for him personally and the citizens of Jackson County,” he said. “It’s a bad deal all around.” Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter @reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Mar. 11, 2016 at 4:08 PM Updated Mar 11, 2016 at 5:26 PM » 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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