Ethics Commission Not Investigating PSU President Wiewel

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Brendan Murray, GoLocalPDX Contributor

According to a representative from the Oregon Ethics Commission, the agency is not currently investigating Portland State University President Wim Wiewel for improper use of University resources.

As GoLocal revealed, Wiewel has been using University resources, including an employee and his University-owned mansion, to conduct business for his private, for-profit venture Wiewel Consulting.

In September, the Ethics Commission told GoLocal that Wiewel’s use of the house did not appear to be in violation of state law.

According to the Commission, Wiewel is exempt from a provision stating that “a governmental agency’s supplies, facilities, equipment, employees, records or any other public resources are not to be used to engage in private business interests." because a use of a public official's official compensation package can be an exception to the statute.

However, Wiewel’s use of University employee Rachel Martinez, his executive assistant, does not fall under the same loophole. According to the Guide for Public Officials, published by the Oregon Ethics Commission, public officials are allowed to own and operate private businesses, but are not allowed to utilize public resources that are not considered as part of their compensation.

Scott Gallagher, the University's Director of Communications, told GoLocal in September that Wiewel's executive assistant, Rachel Martinez, has in the past communicated with clients or scheduled meetings for Wiewel's consulting business.

“Rachel supports him and his endeavors,” he said. “There are undoubtedly times where she helps arrange travel or plan his day as part of her duties as his assistant.”

Officials with the Commission would not comment on whether Wiewel's use of his assistant qualified as a violation of state law.

Mark Alfano, Associate Professor of Ethics at the University of Oregon, said Wiewel's actions go against classical definitions of justice.

“I'm not a legal expert, so I won't speak to the legality of what he's doing," he said. "On the other hand, when something stinks this bad, there ought to be a law,”

Complaint Needed to Start Investigation

A representative from the Ethics Commission told GoLocal that no investigation has been made into Wiewel’s activities because a formal complaint has yet to be made. Formal complaints are made using a form on the Ethics Commission's website.

The Commission would begin any investigation with a review of the complaint, which they could decide to investigate further or dismiss.

As the investigation continues, settlements can be reached between the accused party and the Commission. Civil penalties may be handed out if wrongdoing is found, and can include fines of up to $5,000 and forfeiture of any received funds.

Related Slideshow: Recapping GoLocalPDX’s Coverage of PSU President Wim Wiewel

Prev Next

More than Meets the Eye

As GoLocal reported in the story PSU President's Salary More than Meets the Eye, Wiewel's salary, which is listed at $401,700, is actually closer to $600,000. While much was made of the President's salary not rising when he received a new contract earlier this year, he receives plenty of perks and benefits as part of his compensation.

Prev Next

Free Housing

Chief among Wiewel's perks as President is his use of the University-owned President's house on SW Miliary Road in Portland. Wiewel and his family live at the home, which is valued at $2.1 million by Zillow.com. The University pays for any upkeep or repairs needed.

Prev Next

Home Business

As GoLocal reported last week, in addition to living in his University-owned home, Wiewel uses the home as the business address for his for-profit consulting business, Wiewel Consulting.

Prev Next

Maid Service

Included in the upkeep costs of the home covered by Portland State University is the house's cleaning. Once a week, maids from the University-owned University Place hotel clean the family's home from top to bottom, all on PSU's dime.

Prev Next

Gardening

Wiewel and his family also receive gardening service while at the President's house. It is, again, paid for by the University.

Prev Next

Free Car

Wiewel also enjoys automobile expense reimbursements. He receives a stipend of $750 a month for his vehicle costs.

Prev Next

Sabbatical

One of the biggest new perks Wiewel received in his latest contract is a sabbatical provision. According to the new clause, Wiewel is free to take a sabbatical of one year following the completion of his current three-year contract, and receive his base salary pay, along with travel and automobile fees, as long as he returns the next year as a faculty member.

Prev Next

Use of University Employe

As GoLocal reported on Tuesday, Wiewel has been using his executive assistant to communicate with private consulting clients and schedule meetings with them.

Prev Next

Students Speak Out

Portland State University students have been outspoken regarding the President's conduct. Letty Martinez, a student, said she thought his actions regarding his executive assistant were "infuriating" and "unconscionable."

Kate Subblefield, another student, said “The benefits that Wim receives are very surprising when looked at compared to what students at PSU have access to,” she said. “Student housing prices are high, food security on campus is hard to come by, and tuition increases mean that students need to spend more time at work to secure the things that President Wiewel receives as part of his contract.”

Prev Next

Experts Criticize

Students have not been the only ones to decry Wiewel's actions. Mark Alfano, Associate Professor of Ethics at the University of Oregon, said Wiewel's actions go against classical definitions of justice.

“I'm not a legal expert, so I won't speak to the legality of what he's doing," he said. "On the other hand, when something stinks this bad, there ought to be a law.”