The Oregonian Uncovers Clackamas County Commissioner Ben West’s Corruption
$9,200 desk comes up as county commissioner faces reelection campaign
Clackamas County Commissioner Ben West, currently seeking reelection, had the county buy him a $9,200 custom desk after he took office in 2023 — a price tag far higher than any of his fellow commissioners’ office furniture expenditures.
County commissioner told top official that his dad needed a job. Now dad earns $33 an hour in unposted gig
Clackamas County Commissioner Ben West’s father started a $33-an-hour job last month, not long after West told the county administrator that his father was looking for work.
Tom West, the commissioner’s dad, started Feb. 17 as a full-time temporary building maintenance specialist, county officials confirmed.
The county did not post the job, according to county administrator Gary Schmidt. County policy does not require an open competitive recruiting process for temporary positions, he said.