LANE COUNTY – Lane County Commissioner David Loveall is under investigation by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission for improperly using the State of the County address in January to promote businesses he owns, improperly filling out ethics paperwork, and mentioning religion during his speech.
Complaints against public officials can arise from concerns about potential conflicts of interest, lobbying violations, or misuse of office. The commission also has the authority to launch its own investigations based on media reports or information provided by public agencies.
According to an April 13 report by KLCC, investigators said that although Loveall mentioned his businesses in the address, what he said was not sufficient to have broken the law.
“Masake Properties LLC, the company my partners and I still operate, just finished another major build,” Loveall said during the address.
The complaint said Loveall’s speech only mentioned his own businesses doing work to revitalize Springfield. The ethics commissioners still voted to investigate. Some argued that Loveall’s using his platform to talk about his businesses at all was free publicity.
Lawmakers at every level must file paperwork with the Oregon Ethics Commission every year about their finances and potential conflicts of interest. During a meeting on April 10, Loveall’s attorney, Jill Gibson, said that Loveall did make a paperwork mistake in 2024, but other years were correct. She said he listed his income from those businesses in the paperwork, but in a different category.
The complaint also stated that Loveall repeatedly discussed religion during the address. Loveall has faced public criticism for integrating religion into his government role, notably starting and ending his State of the County address with a prayer that mentioned God and his work as an international missionary.
“Government isn’t the people’s savior. I believe 2,000 years ago, someone else already took that job,” Loveall said in his speech to the county. “I believe that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Loveall said that being elected county commissioner “did not negate my First Amendment rights and I will NEVER apologize for using ‘religious language’ in my day-to-day life as my relationship with God is a deeply held and personal part of my life.”
The OGEC has 30 days to review a complaint after it’s filed, and it must notify the involved parties. The commission then decides whether to dismiss the case or investigate further if they find “cause.”
If an investigation is launched, it can last up to 180 days, during which the commission may issue subpoenas for documents and testimony.
At the conclusion of the investigation, the commission can either dismiss the case or determine that a violation has occurred. If a violation is found, the official can request a contested case hearing, and settlements can be reached at any time.
The commission may impose sanctions, such as reprimands or civil penalties, which contribute to the state’s general fund.
