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The saga of former Portland State University vice-provost Mike Burton is not over.
Burton, a former longtime lawmaker and Metro chair, abruptly left the university last summer ahead of a damning audit, first reported in August by WW, that found he took an 11-day European junket on PSU's dime under highly questionable circumstances. Burton claimed he was going to attend professional conferences but the conferences either did not take place or took place when he was not present.
Burton subsequently repaid $4,500 and PSU referred his case to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.
But WW has learned Burton is now under criminal investigation.
Yesterday, the Multnomah County District Attorney's office released correspondence to WW pursuant to a public records request. That correspondence shows that at least for now, a criminal probe has taken precedence over the Ethics Commission's inquiry.
On Oct. 13, Ethics Commission investigator Deborah Tuss wrote to Multnomah County DA Mike Schrunk, Portland Police Chief Mike Reese and Oregon Department of Justice criminal chief Darrin Tweedt.
On Oct. 18, Schrunk replied.
Other records WW obtained from PSU suggest the university may not have wanted a criminal investigation of Burton's actions.
Here's a section of an email Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Gary Meabe sent to PSU General Counsel David Reese on Aug. 18, 2011, regarding whether the university system should release the Burton audit to WW or withhold it if there were to be a criminal investigation:
Reese green-lighted release of the audit less than 24 hours later, signaling the university did not want a criminal investigation. (PSU spokesman Chris Broderick says the university decided not to seek charges because Burton paid the money back.)
Burton could not be reached. John DiLorenzo, Burton's attorney in the ethics proceeding, declined to comment on the criminal investigation.
WWeek 2015