Oregon lawmakers to hold hearings on youth authority investigations

SALEM, Ore. (KATU) — Oregon lawmakers are preparing to hold a series of accountability hearings following a sex abuse scandal involving the Oregon Youth Authority.

Lawmakers announced the hearings after new reports of mismanagement that the governor called "appalling."

The MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn has faced numerous complaints, and earlier this month, lawyers representing 10 men filed a lawsuit against the OYA for $51 million, alleging they were abused while in custody as boys.

Gov. Tina Kotek confirmed the termination of OYA Director Joe O'Leary due to a backlog of abuse reports.

PAST COVERAGE

• Oregon Youth Authority faces $51M lawsuit alleging sexual abuse of incarcerated boys
• Governor Kotek acts on sexual abuse allegations at Oregon youth facilities
• Three more lawsuits allege sexual abuse at Oregon youth correctional facilities

"It's really important to me that we get through the backlog, put better systems in place," Kotek said. "We're looking at bringing on a youth advocate in my office to make sure families have a place to go... make sure our facilities are safe for the youth who are there."

The new report found that thousands of complaints against OYA were mismanaged for years.

The state investigation focused on the OYA’s Professional Standards Office, which handles any complaints against the youth authority, whether that's a minor problem with a facility or allegations of abuse, for example.

The new report says that the OYA never finished investigations for more than 3,400 complaints, including ones that claim an OYA staff member had a relationship with a minor.

"The systemic failure to appropriately manage (THE OYA'S PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS OFFICE'S) operations created a safety risk to youth and staff," the report says.

The director and chief investigator at the heart of the concerns are both out of their jobs.

Jana McLellan is in her second week as the OYA’s interim director and spoke briefly about the report on Monday during a budget hearing.

"We share a desire for transparency on this, and we also share a desire to support the OYA and the youth in its custody to move forward in service to Oregonians,” she said.

Earlier this month, a group filed a lawsuit against the OYA, claiming that staff at one facility abused 10 boys between 2000 and 2008.The OYA began presenting its budget to lawmakers this week, but Republicans argue that accountability should be addressed first. Hearing dates have not yet been announced.