Statement on the release of the Koch Report and records related to Brent Foster’s work on the Bradwood Landing LNG project:

Brent Foster resigned from the Department of Justice in April after acknowledging that he misrepresented his involvement in the investigation of a criminal case, State v. Ryan/Hood River Juice. That case was subsequently concluded when the owner of Hood River Juice pleaded guilty to supplying false information to an agency and water pollution.

Last week, an investigation into Mr. Foster’s conduct by Marion County District Walt Beglau was concluded when a Grand Jury declined to bring charges.

Today, we are releasing a report by Dale Koch, former Presiding Judge of Multnomah County Circuit Court, who conducted a comprehensive and independent review of Mr. Foster’s work at the Department of Justice. We are also releasing documents related to Mr. Foster’s work on the Bradwood Landing LNG project. Some records have been withheld because they are exempt from disclosure as they are privileged attorney-client communications and we believe that releasing them would compromise the state’s legal position. Judge Koch had access to all documents relating to Mr. Foster’s conduct, including those being withheld as well as any others he asked to review. Although Judge Koch found no wrongdoing in Mr. Foster’s legal work for the Department of Justice, he did uncover a series of personal emails that required a second look. While Judge Koch concluded that Mr. Foster was not seeking special treatment based on his position at the Department of Justice, in an abundance of caution we have decided to refer the issue to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.

• Koch Report (pdf)

Contact:

Tony Green, (503) 378-6002 tony.green@doj.state.or.us |