Minnis resigns from state safety, training position

By Shannon Wells

The Gresham Outlook, Nov 25, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

John Minnis resigned his position leading the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training this week amid a criminal investigation by the state Attorney General’s office.

Gov. Ted Kulongoski, a Democrat, placed the Wood Village resident on administrative leave Monday, Nov. 23, the same day the Attorney General’s office said it opened its investigation.

When Minnis, a former Republican House and Senate lawmaker, tendered his resignation as of Jan. 1, 2010, the governor then called for his immediate resignation, according to Jillian Schoene, spokeswoman for Kulongoski’s office.

“The governor asked him to resign immediately on (Nov.) 24th,” she said.

Minnis had not returned phone messages by Outlook press time.

Calling it an open investigation into Minnis, the Attorney General’s office declined to discuss the nature of the investigation.

“It’s not our policy to comment on an open investigation,” said Julie Rutherford, Attorney General’s office spokeswoman.

Upon Minnis’ resignation, Kulongoski appointed Eriks Gabliks, deputy director of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, as its interim director.

Gabliks, who said he had not talked with his former boss in the wake of his resignation, also declined to comment on the investigation.

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