Workers’ comp insurer blasted

Thu., Aug. 26, 2004

Associated Press

SALEM, Ore. – Using often scolding terms, a judge found the SAIF Corp. in contempt of court for failing to abide by his earlier order to hand over public records.

Marion County Judge Paul Lipscomb’s ruling Wednesday could result in a fine of more than $1 million against SAIF for discarding e-mails and other records SAIF officials had deemed insignificant.

It was the latest blow for the state-owned workers’ compensation insurer, which is in a political battle over an initiative measure on the Nov. 2 ballot that would abolish SAIF.

SAIF also has been under investigation by the state’s ethics commission because of allegations it underreported the amount of money it paid former Gov. Neil Goldschmidt and others to lobby on its behalf.

During a three-day hearing before Lipscomb earlier this month, SAIF leaders testified that they made good faith efforts to produce voluminous records sought by Portland lawyer John DiLorenzo.

Lipscomb in 2001 ordered SAIF to release the records to DiLorenzo, who’s being paid by a group funded by Liberty Northwest of Portland, SAIF’s main competitor in Oregon. Liberty is bankrolling the campaign to abolish SAIF.

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Workers’ comp insurer blasted

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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