County Commissioners Ask For Outside Investigation of Jeff Cogen

Multnomah County Chair Jeff Cogen
By NIGEL JAQUISS

Four members of the Multnomah County Commissioner this afternoon asked today for an outside investigation of their colleague, County Chair Jeff Cogen.

At issue is whether Cogen, county chair since 2010, misused county resources or the power of his office when conducting a nearly two-year-long affair with a county employee named Sonia Manhas.

The request, contained in a letter written by the four members—Commmissioners Deborah Kafoury, Diane McKeel, Judy Shiprack and Loretta Smith—is a ill omen for Cogen, who broke a week-long silence today to do an interview with KGW's Laural Porter. 

As WW reported this afternoon, the original story Cogen told reporters one week ago continues to change. 

Options for conducting the investigation would include Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum or an independent third party.

WWeek 2015

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