Kitzhaber investigation continues

PORTLAND – The investigation of former Gov. John Kitzhaber has been quiet, but some action has occurred outside the public view.

The Democratic governor resigned in February amid suspicions that his live-in fiancee used her relationship with him to land contracts for her consulting business.

As a grand jury and agents for the IRS and FBI contact potential witnesses, records obtained by the Oregonian show 17 state employees have asked the state to pay their legal bills in the case. At least five have received subpoenas to testify before a federal grand jury in Portland.

The documents come from the state program that pays legal costs for employees involved in criminal investigations pertaining to work.