PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Lavon Griffin Vallade has been named Oregon’s new secretary of state, Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek said in a news release Wednesday, filling the vacancy created when Shimia Fagan resigned last month amid criticism of her consulting work. Marijuana business.
Griffin Valade has worked as a government performance auditor for more than 16 years, according to a Kotech news release.
“I told Oregonians in May that the next Secretary of State’s primary goal is to restore confidence in the office. Lavon Griffin has the professional background and ethics to rise above politics and lead the agency’s important work forward. “This role requires accountability and transparency, especially at this time. , and I look forward to seeing her leadership restore confidence in the Foreign Office.
Fagan Leave her post After coming under fire in early May for her paid side job for marijuana retailer La Mota. Her consulting work He paid $10,000 a month., excluding bonus. The salary of the US Secretary of State is $77,000.
Fagan worked for La Mota for two months while her office completed an audit of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. The business went into financial receivership after allegedly owing $1.7 million in unpaid bills and other state and federal taxes. Willamette Week reported.
New Secretary of State Griffin Valade was hired as Portland’s Multnomah County Auditor in 1998. She served as Portland’s city auditor from 2009 to 2014, according to a Wednesday news release.
“I have the experience to restore credibility, accountability, transparency and trust to the State Department,” Griffin-Vallad said in a news release. Trust the United States Department of State; And that’s what I wanted to do every day.
Griffin-Valade will serve the remaining 18 months of his current term. She will be sworn in on Friday in the state capital, Salem.