The Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted March 6 to fine Keizer City Councilor Soraida Cross $500 after an investigator found she tried to use her position to avoid a criminal citation.

In a stipulated final order signed by Cross, an OGEC investigator detailed a May 14, 2025, incident in which Cross attempted to call Marion County Sheriff Nick Hunter on his personal cellphone when police responded to a domestic dispute at the home Cross shared with her ex-husband.

During the incident, first reported by Keizertimes, a woman accused Cross of pushing her off a barstool.

Salem Police responded to the 911 call in Keizer to avoid a possible conflict of interest. Video footage obtained by Keizertimes shows Cross telling the officer she is a city councilor, played golf with Keizer Police Chief Andrew Copeland and is friends with Hunter.

The body camera footage was later shared on social media by Marion County Democrats.

Paige Barton, chair for Marion County Democrats, filed a complaint against Cross with the ethics commission.

When Cross told the officer she was a councilor, she attempted to “use her official position to avoid the financial detriment associated with a criminal citation,” according to the order.

The order said Cross “used confidential information in an attempt to obtain a personal gain” when she called Hunter on his personal cellphone to involve him in the Salem Police investigation.

“The personal phone number of Mr. Hunter is not publicly available information, such that any member of the public may contact him when dealing with law enforcement matters,” the order said.

The criminal citation for harassment was forwarded to the Polk County District Attorney’s Office due to a possible conflict of interest. The office declined to prosecute.

Cross told OGEC that she did not willingly or intentionally violate Oregon ethics law.

“She further asserts that she is a victim of domestic violence and that the police were called to her home on May 14, 2025, by her ex-husband as a form of retaliation and that was not the only time,” officials said in the order. “Ms. Cross further contends that on the evening of May 14th, she needed to call her friends, which is why she contacted Marion County Sheriff Nick Hunter whom she called for advice out of fear and there was no malicious intent.”

Commission investigator Daniel Pacheco said in a preliminary investigation that Cross appeared to try to use her position to avoid financial detriment, such as legal fees associated with a criminal charge.

The commission voted 5-0 in October to find a substantial objective basis for believing Cross violated Oregon law. A more in-depth investigation ensued.

In the order, OGEC officials said the results of the investigation pointed to a preponderance of evidence that Cross violated Oregon ethics law.

Cross signed the stipulated final order on Feb. 17, waiving her right to a contested hearing and judicial review. She will pay a $500 civil penalty to settle the matter.

The commission approved accepting the final order in a 6-0 vote with one abstention.

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on X at @wmwoodworth

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