Salem, OR – Oregon State Representative Greg Smith, a Republican from Heppner, has admitted to violating state ethics laws in connection with his outside consulting business. Smith, the longest-serving member of the Oregon House, acknowledged failing to disclose private income from clients who have economic interests tied to his legislative work. This concession follows a formal investigation by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.
Smith’s consulting firm, Gregory Smith & Company LLC, has been involved in securing contracts with government agencies that benefit from state funding—an area where Smith holds significant sway due to his influential role on the state budget committee. The firm’s clients include those with interests that could be directly impacted by Smith’s legislative actions, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
In 2023, Oregon implemented a law requiring public officials to disclose private income from clients who represent at least 10% of their business and have a direct economic interest in the official’s decisions. Smith, however, failed to comply with this disclosure requirement, which led to the ethics investigation.
After a review of the case, Smith reached a compromise with the Ethics Commission. The commission voted unanimously on March 9, 2025, to issue Smith a “letter of education,” which is typically the penalty for first-time violations. While Oregon law allows for fines up to $5,000 for such infractions, the Ethics Commission opted not to impose any monetary penalties.
Smith’s consulting business has raised concerns about the potential for conflicts of interest, particularly given the large government contracts obtained by his clients—some of whom are located outside of his district. This development marks a rare instance in which a veteran legislator has publicly acknowledged a breach of ethics laws, signaling a potential shift in how such violations are addressed within the state’s political landscape.
Smith’s admission has sparked discussions about the transparency of Oregon’s legislative process and the need for continued scrutiny of lawmakers’ outside business dealings. Despite the relatively mild penalty in this case, experts argue that the ethics commission’s decision could set a precedent for future investigations involving state legislators and their outside financial interests.
