March 22, 2023 3:00 a.m.

On Tuesday, three legislative leaders sent a letter to Governor Tina Kotek urging that independent nonpartisan investigations being launched into the alleged favorable treatment of land acquisitions and rare liquor distribution by officials with the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission.

The request came from Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp, House Republican Leader Vikki-Breese Iverson and Independent Leader Brian Boquist.

The lawmakers say that according to recent reports, the price tag for land and a new warehouse from the OLCC rose by 133 percent between 2019 and 2022 – from $62.5 million to $145.7 million dollars, and has risen further since.

The letter also noted that in recent months there have been multiple reports that lawmakers, public officials, and management at the OLCC had benefitted from the diversion of bottles of high-end, rare liquor. That led to the firing of three top OLCC officials, but even more questions. The lawmakers are also asking that the names of all lawmakers who used their position for personal gain be released.

The letter to Governor Kotek is linked at www.541radio.com   2023-3-21 Knopp, Breese-Iverson, Boquist Send Letter to the Governor Urging Independent Nonpartisan Counsel to Investigate OLCC