Ethics commission opens Lane County probe into Commissioner Loveall's business ties

Oregon’s ethics commission has opened a formal probe into Lane County Commissioner David Loveall, focusing on whether he used his county office to promote businesses he owns and whether his required financial disclosure paperwork was filled out correctly.

The case centers on Loveall’s Jan. 5 State of the County address, when he was serving as chair of the Lane County Board of Commissioners. Investigators are reviewing allegations that he improperly referenced his private business interests during the speech, which also covered public safety, possible budget cuts, ALPR cameras, homelessness and economic development. Loveall told the audience that 60% of Lane County’s funding comes from state and federal dollars.

Those details matter because county commissioners help shape budgets, contracts, land use decisions, roads and public services that can affect property values and business opportunities across Lane County, including Eugene and Springfield. Oregon ethics law requires covered public officials to file an annual Statement of Economic Interest and bars the prohibited use of official position. The same chapter also lays out conflict-of-interest rules designed to keep public power separate from private financial gain.

The ethics commission’s April 10 executive-session agenda listed the Loveall matter as case 26-025EJS and identified investigator Josh Sullivan’s recommendation to move ahead with possible violations of ORS 244.060(1) and ORS 244.060(8). A preliminary review did not find evidence that Loveall directly used his position to benefit Masaka Properties or DNL Properties, the businesses named in the allegations, but commissioners still voted to advance the case, with some members saying the speech itself may have amounted to free publicity.

Loveall’s county biography says he bought the Washburne building and the neighboring Iris Wine bar in 2008 and had earlier started a commercial photography business. The biography says those efforts helped revitalize downtown Springfield and notes recognition tied to the 2019 Business of the Year, 2019 Game Changer Award and 2020 BEST Walkable Neighborhood. Loveall’s current term runs from Jan. 1, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2026.

The ethics investigation adds another layer of scrutiny to a commissioner already censured by the Lane County Board of Commissioners on March 3 after an outside investigation found he retaliated against employees. In that vote, the board said Loveall’s conduct amounted to willful neglect of duty. The board later selected Ryan Ceniga as chair and Heather Buch as vice chair for 2026, leaving Loveall to face a formal ethics review while still in office.