Should have not participated in initial vote to appoint her as mayor, initial investigation determines

By Stephen Floyd, Ashland.news

Ashland Mayor Tonya Graham is being investigated by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC) after participating in the vote to appoint herself mayor, though the commission is likely to impose light penalties.

A preliminary investigation showed Graham may have violated state law by not declaring a conflict of interest and recusing herself before the vote on her appointment Feb. 7. At the time Graham was a member of the Ashland City Council, and her appointment was unanimous among fellow councilors.

During the council’s next meeting Feb. 21, Graham asked councilors to reconsider her appointment and at that time declared a potential conflict of interest, recusing herself and leaving the room during the vote. Her appointment was again unanimous and she was sworn in that night.

Graham filled a vacancy left by former Mayor Julie Akins, who stepped down Jan. 27.

These preliminary findings were shared during a meeting of OGEC commissioners April 28 and they voted unanimously to open a formal investigation. A public hearing to discuss the findings of the investigation is scheduled for Oct. 6.

Commissioners said, based on the nature of the allegations and Graham’s attempt to remedy the situation, they would likely issue a “letter of education,” the lowest level of sanction available to the commission.

OGEC began looking into Graham after receiving two citizen complaints accusing Graham of ethics violations over the Feb. 7 vote. At least one complainant also accused Graham of unjustly enriching herself because her pay as mayor would increase to $500 per year, up from $350 per year as a councilor.

Ashland.News has filed a public record request with OGEC for additional information regarding the investigation.

Email Ashland.news reporter Stephen Floyd at sfloydmedia@gmail.com.