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Under a settlement with the Oregon Department of Justice, the former race director of the Portland Marathon agreed to pay $865,000 in penalties.
The DOJ found that Lester Smith had taken hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans from the Marathon for himself or his companies. The practice is illegal and occurred at a time when the Portland Marathon nonprofit lacked adequate oversight of a board, as required of nonprofits.
In all, $50,000 of the settlement covers costs for the state investigation. The rest will go back to the Portland Marathon, Inc.
Smith disputed the findings, according to a copy of the settlement documents, provided by DOJ.
But in addition to the monetary settlement, Smith has agreed not to lead or serve on the boards of any nonprofits, operate any foot races in the future, and, as a lawyer, will not seek to be reinstated to the state bar. He also agreed to dissolve his company, his for-profit company Next Events, LLC
He did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
"I am pleased that we were able to work with the new board of the Marathon to evaluate the organization's financial situation and ultimately assist in recovering substantial funds owed to the Marathon by Lester Smith," says Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum in a statement. (Disclosure: Rosenblum is married to the co-owner of WW's parent company.)
"The Portland Marathon is a capstone event in Oregon, and I am hopeful that this settlement will enable more successful events in the future," she adds.
The investigation into the nonprofit began around the time the race was facing an uncertain future in Portland. Under Smith's leadership, the permit for the race last year was initially rejected by the city.
Related: City Denies Permit for Portland Marathon, Imperiling a 45-Year Tradition
The race proceeded last year, and the Portland Marathon nonprofit is now under new leadership.