Oregon Ethics Group Dismisses Case Against CDA Director

Emily Collins will not face a state ethics investigation after a complaint was filed against her.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Oregon Government Ethics Commission unanimously voted to dismiss a case against Columbia Development Authority Interim Executive Director Emily Collins. The complaint, filed by Boardman resident Jonathan Tallman, alleged Collins may have violated ethics laws related to conflicts of interest and use of public office when she received a salary increase and retroactive pay in 2024 while working as a project coordinator for the CDA. However, the commission's investigator found Collins was unlikely to have violated ethics laws, as she was an appointed official who did not have decision-making power at the time and was not the one who initiated the salary increase.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of clear ethics guidelines for public officials, as well as the role of ethics commissions in investigating potential violations and upholding public trust. The dismissal of the complaint against Collins suggests the commission found insufficient evidence of wrongdoing, but the case also raises questions about transparency and accountability in government.

The details

The complaint against Collins was filed by Boardman resident Jonathan Tallman, who alleged she may have violated ethics laws related to conflicts of interest and use of public office. Specifically, Tallman claimed Collins helped with a federal grant application that led to her own salary increase and retroactive pay in 2024, when she was working as a project coordinator for the CDA. However, the commission's investigator, Casey Fenstermaker, found that because Collins was an appointed official, she was not required to publicly disclose a conflict of interest, and she did not take any official actions that could have financially impacted herself. Additionally, Fenstermaker determined Collins did not engage in a prohibited use of public office, as she was not the one who initiated the salary increase.

  • The Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted to dismiss the case against Emily Collins on March 6, 2026.
  • The complaint against Collins was filed by Boardman resident Jonathan Tallman.

The players

Emily Collins

The interim executive director of the Columbia Development Authority who was the subject of the dismissed ethics complaint.

Jonathan Tallman

A Boardman resident who filed the complaint against Emily Collins.

Casey Fenstermaker

The investigator for the Oregon Government Ethics Commission who recommended dismissing the complaint against Emily Collins.

Oregon Government Ethics Commission

The state agency that unanimously voted to dismiss the complaint against Emily Collins.

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What they’re saying

“It does not appear that Emily Collins herself took official actions that either could or would financially impact herself, and was therefore not required to disclose a conflict of interest related to the grant application or the retroactive pay.”

— Casey Fenstermaker, Investigator (East Oregonian)

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of clear ethics guidelines for public officials and the role of ethics commissions in investigating potential violations and upholding public trust. The dismissal of the complaint against Collins suggests the commission found insufficient evidence of wrongdoing, but the case also raises questions about transparency and accountability in government.