Oregon Department of Justice

Attorney General Hardy Myers today moved to intervene in the civil racketeering suit brought against the education foundation and political action committee of Oregon Taxpayers United by the American Federation of Teachers and the Oregon Education Association. On September 27th, a jury found that the foundation and the PAC had engaged in a pattern of racketeering activities.

"This case has raised issues of significant public importance," Myers said. "As allowed by Oregon statute, we are requesting dissolution of the OTU Education Foundation and limitations upon OTU PAC and any successor organizations to ensure that the State's charitable and elections laws are obeyed."

The Motion to Interveneand Request for Equitable Relief, which were filed today in Multnomah County Circuit Court, will be available on the Department of Justice web site at www.doj.state.or.us at 9 a.m. November 8, 2002.