A series of documents released by Gov. John Kitzhaber's office has illustrated some of the ways Cylvia Hayes' various roles have overlapped. Here are a few of the more interesting documents released.
The Oregon Government Ethics Commission is reviewing whether Hayes and Kitzhaber violated state laws that bar public officials from using a public position to reap business or financial gain. It's expected to announce next month whether it will conduct a formal investigation.
While the governor's office has provided a number of requested government records, a number of the documents requested before the Nov. 4 general election have yet to be released.
Document 1: Room service
A receipt for a $41 breakfast that Cylvia Hayes submitted to the state of Oregon for reimbursement, explaining she needed to order room service at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco so she could practice her speech for a conference that morning.
The speech was prepared with input from Resource Media, a former client of Hayes' Bend-based consulting firm, 3E Strategies, according to emails released by the state last week. Resource Media, a nonprofit advocacy public relations firm, awarded Hayes a $25,000 contract in early 2013 to build support among "key audiences" to "conserve our marine resources and boost our West Coast economy."
That was just two months after public-relations firm signed a $10,000 contract with the state of Oregon for similar work.
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Document 2: Ethics presentation
The state ethics law slide show presented to Hayes by the governor's staff attorney, Liani Reeves. A governor's spokeswoman, Melissa Navas, confirmed that Hayes saw it but didn't specify the timing.
Reeves advised the first lady about laws barring perks for public officials and their relatives, household members or any business associated with them.
As an example of prohibited activities, Reeves listed "use of state funded trip to promote personal business opportunities."
Document 3: Mahonia Hall
Reeves emailed Hayes in late August 2013: "The strict interpretation of the law would include a prohibition of Mahonia Hall – a state owned facility – for convening meetings for private income."
Accordingly, the governor's office proposed ethics guidelines barred Hayes from using Mahonia for business meetings. Reeves later relaxed the guidelines, allowing Hayes to use the home for meetings with existing clients.
Document 4: State aide arranges travel
Emails show Hayes frequently sought help from Mary Rowinski, the state-paid assistant intended to work on first lady-related issues, to arrange travel for Hayes' private consulting work.
During the period that Hayes and her company had a $25,000 contract with Resource Media, the Seattle-based nonprofit helped arranged a speaking engagement on ocean acidification in Irvine, California, records show.
On April 9, Hayes emailed Rowinski, "Will you please check into airfare from PDX to Irvine California ..." Rowinski and Hayes discussed options, then Hayes emailed: "OK, let's book it."
Document 5: Mahonia visitor log
A log of visitors to Mahonia Hall show that state workers have helped care for Hayes' dog, Tessa, and her two cats.
The governor's executive assistant, Jan Murdock, has driven the dog between Portland and Salem, and has stayed overnight at Mahonia several times to dog-sit, logs show. She also took Hayes' personal Prius to a repair shop.
The governor's office said staffers volunteered their time to care for the pets, noting that Murdock is a longtime close friend of Kitzhaber.
"There is nothing odd about this, nor does it require any official authorization. Caring for the First Family's pets is not paid for with taxpayer money," Navas said in an email.
Document 6: Bhutan travel and gifts
Dennis Richardson, Kitzhaber's Republican opponent in the Nov. 4 election, repeatedly cited the 11-day trip as an example of Kitzhaber being out of touch. Kitzhaber has sloughed off the criticism, saying the German government paid for airfare and lodging.
Emails show Hayes' and Kitzhaber's assistants helped arrange the 2013 trip, emailing back and forth with Hayes over a period of two months. The three discussed seating upgrades, cell service and whether Hayes could skirt airline rules on liquids to carry jars of local honey intended as gifts.
"I supposed if I checked a bag I could probably just put some in there and hope they don't break," Hayes wrote to Rowinski, noting that since the state police detail "will be putting us on the plane I'm sure I could carry some on the first leg."
Rowinski talked to Sgt. Driver and responded: "According to Curt, that would be very tricky and not a good idea."
Document 7: Business trip
During the period that Hayes' held a contract with Resource Media, the nonprofit arranged for her to speak at an April 2013 conference in Washington, D.C.
As she'd done in the past, Hayes asked Rowinski to provide her with travel options, help arrange her flight and hotel and, at one point, directing her to make the reservations with "a different Visa card... because my new one gets flier miles."
Rowinski later asked whether Hayes planned to expense the conference, to which Hayes had been registered as a "clean energy consultant" for her company, 3E.
"Actually," Hayes wrote back April 30, "I pay for this as part of my contract but it would be helpful to get the hotel and airfare info from you."
-- Laura Gunderson