Update and jumped, 3:59pm: Here’s a comment from the Attorney General’s office:
“We have reviewed the assertions in in Mr. Soto’s letter and concluded that neither the Department of Justice nor the Ethics Commission has the legal authority to investigate an alleged violation of the Portland City Code.”
Update, 12:07 The complaint is after the jump.
Original post, 9:39am:Rudy Soto, a longshot competitor for Dan Saltzman, plans to file an ethical complaint with Attorney General John Kroger at 10:30 this morning, asking Kroger to look into Saltzman’s allocation of $600,000 to his girlfriend’s charity without disclosing a conflict.
- SOTO (RIGHT)—FORMER INTERN FOR CITY COMMISSIONER NICK FISH
“Basically I’m putting forward a formal complaint to the Attorney General’s office requesting that he take a look at the recent scandal involving commissioner Saltzman’s vote and allocation of funds to Cares Northwest,” says Soto.
Why’s he doing it?
“I’m the least likely candidate to win because I’m younger, and a lot of people have been talking about this scandal, but the other news media outlets seem to be downplaying it with the exception of a few including the Mercury,” he says. “Now I won’t put it in the same terms as Senator Biden, but this is a big deal. And I’m going to sacrifice myself and call this into question.”
“One of the questions a lot of people have been asking me is, you know, how many others has he dated that have reaped similar benefits,” Soto continues. “And his excuse for being shy for not disclosing it, there’s nothing shy about being a politician, and I know that from just running as a long shot in a political race.”
Has anybody put him up to this?
“I’ve spoken with the other candidates, but really, at the end of the day, the way it’s been framed to others is, that because there’s a fear of retribution out there that anybody doing this is putting their career in public service on the line,” he says. “It wasn’t an easy decision.”
Soto plans to send the Mercury a copy of his complaint in the next 30 minutes or so. We’ll print it here on Blogtown when we have it.
I think he means Vice President Biden.
“I’m filing this complaint because Chief Magistrate Saltzman….”
HAHAHA this kid? Ok, this is turning into a pretty good joke at this point.
Mr. Soto has some stones. Yaaaay
Here’s the worst that’ll happen: The AG will say that Saltzman should have said something about his relationship, but that it didn’t rise to the level where he needed to recuse himself from voting. The AG will say no laws or ethics were broken, maybe slightly bent, but nothing will happen. *yawn*
WANK WANK WANK WANK WANK WANK WANK WANK WANK WANK WANK WANK WANK WANK WANK WANK WANK WANK
You are forgetting about all the press that will remind voters of $altzman giving over half-a-mil to his girlfriends.
The court of public opinion is what mattes most with ballots out.
Nice work, kiddo! Keep it up.
I personally think he’s to be commended for this move. And, for once, I think Graham might have it right.
I don’t think anything major will happen to Saltzman, but I also agree with the above anonymous coward with typing deficiencies that the court of public opinion might be swayed with Saltzman getting more negative press over it.
So Davies and Cornett have finely found their ink making stooge. I pity the fool. What else are you going to do to keep this story alive until the 18th? Don’t you realize that with Cornett’s fibs catching up with him that any votes you shake loose from Saltzman will wind up going to Volm. Face it Davies, you backed an astroturfing, carpet-bagging, truth stretching, kiss-up-kick-down, class A clown. I just hope he doesn’t take VOE down with him.
@Jackattak: For once? FOR ONCE?!? Dude! I’m hurt.
+1 to both Graham & Demonjuice.
I love the insinuation that Dan Saltzman is this out of control philanthropic corruption machine, making it rain millions on the worthwhile charities of dozens of girlfriends we don’t even know about yet.
Per the text of the complaint:
Who’s this Mr Burns that Soto is referring to in his complaint? Saltzman is gay? This letter needs a copy editor. So confused!
“You are forgetting about all the press that will remind voters of $altzman giving over half-a-mil to his girlfriends.”
Dear Court of Public Opinion. You meant to say along with the unanimous backing of city council he voted to give half-a-mil to his girlfriend’s employer that also happens to be a non-profit that works with children. Specifically victims of child abuse. Right?
OMG OMG Saltzman voted along with the rest of city council to give money to help victims of child abuse. Holy shit. Abuse of power!
So…Saltzman helped funnel $600,000 that wasn’t his into his girlfriend’s charity? Um. Yeah. I think that deserves a little investigation. If Saltzman has nothing to hide, it won’t be a big deal. Right?
p.s. Yoo hoo… Commissioners… I have a charity. And I’m single. Now who’s ready to take me to dinner at Le Pigeon and then pay me $600 G’s?!
p.p.s. No kissing until we’re married. Sorry. See Youtube video at Merc Blog for more.
That’s a strange decision. I might expect them to say that this particular complaint is without merit, but saying the Department of Justice and the Ethics Commission do not have legal authority to investigate ethics breaches? Who does, then?
Oh Dittfurth — such righteous Christian outrage!
Get back to work.
@Reymont: It’s CYA. They’re not expressing any opinion at all about the matter. Just saying that it’s not in their court.
Note to Rudy: You should probably find out in advance whether the body to which you are complaining has any actually authority or jurisdiction to investigate your complaint.