SALEM, Ore. (AP) – A judge has ordered former first lady Cylvia Hayes to pay The Oregonian/OregonLive nearly $128,000 in attorney fees the news organization incurred in her unsuccessful lawsuit to stop the release of her emails.
A Marion County judge’s ruling came on Wednesday, almost 18 months after The Oregonian asked for business emails between Hayes and former Governor John Kitzhaber that were exchanged on a personal account.
Hayes contended she wasn’t a public official and not subject to state public records law. Judges disagreed and decided most of the emails should be released.
Kitzhaber yielded to political pressure and quit over allegations that Hayes used their relationship to win contracts for her consulting business. Hayes and Kitzhaber remain under federal investigation to determine if either used their positions for personal gain, but no charges have been filed.
Hayes says she plans to appeal.