SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- The former chief of the state agency responsible for training and certifying police officers will not be prosecuted for "inappropriate interactions" between him and a subordinate staffer, officials said Monday.
John Minnis is a former legislator and husband of former Oregon House Speaker Karen Minnis. He submitted his resignation Nov. 24 in the wake of an attorney general's investigation into his conduct.
On Tuesday, Gov. Ted Kulongoski's office released a copy of a Nov. 23 letter from the governor's chief of staff, Chip Terhune, placing John Minnis on leave. The letter said Minnis was under investigation for allegations of inappropriate interactions between him and a subordinate staff member.
Minnis was asked by the governor to resign immediately the following day.
But investigators said no inappropriate conduct happened in Oregon, and investigator's documents were sent to San Diego.
"It is our opinion that we cannot prove Mr. Minnis committed any criminal acts as the Director of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training in regards to his personal relationship with a particular employee under his supervision," lead attorney Sean J. Riddell with the Oregon Justice Department said Tuesday. " However, Mr. Minnis admitted to conduct that occurred outside of our jurisdiction that we do not have the authority to decline or accept prosecution."
