NEWBERG, Ore. (AP) — The state Department of Justice is investigating a Yamhill County commissioner for allegedly making secret videotapes of candidates during private endorsement interviews.
The News-Register says the taping came to light with the posting of a heavily edited excerpt of one the endorsement interviews on YouTube and a conservative Republican website.
The Department of Justice declined to comment. But after the Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce conducted its own investigation, its board voted Friday to expel Leslie Lewis from its government affairs committee.
Recording in-person conversations without the knowledge of all parties is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a jail term of up to a year and fine of up to $6,250 in Oregon. Penalties can double when the tape is passed along to other people.
