Whistleblower complaint — Oregon’s labor commissioner has accused a Portland-area construction company of retaliating against employees working with state and federal investigators. The Oregonian reported Commissioner Brad Avakian filed the whistleblowing complaint against K&O Contracting, a roofing and siding company with Aloha and Happy Valley addresses. Avakian alleges that K&O officers cut back employee hours and suspended some workers without pay after the state and federal labor agencies began looking into its operations. The joint investigation stemmed from a March complaint alleging the company’s sheet metal workers were misclassified as carpenters, possibly violating prevailing wage laws. The company’s registered agent declined to comment.
Alleged sex trafficking — A 20-year-old Albany man has been indicted on federal sex trafficking charges, accused of forcing a girl under 18 to cross state lines to work as a prostitute in Western Washington. The Register-Guard reports that Steven Anthony Kidd is charged with sex trafficking of a minor and interstate transportation of a minor to engage in prostitution. Arrested last month, he’s being held in the Lane County Jail. Kidd’s arraignment is scheduled Tuesday in Eugene.
Retrial on death sentence — Nearly 14 years later, Jesse Fanus has returned to the Douglas County courtroom where he was convicted of killing an 82-year-old former Marine Corps flying ace. His conviction stands, but a judge has overturned the death sentence, ruling he was poorly represented. The Roseburg News-Review reports Fanus appeared Thursday at a brief hearing. District Attorney Rick Wesenberg confirmed he will again ask a jury to condemn Fanus to death. The trial isn’t expected for months. Fanus, now 33, was accused of killing Marion Carl during a break-in and robbery.
— From wire reports
