Board Sanctions One of Its Own – Now Faces Lawsuit

The Lane County Board of Commissioners voted 3 to 1 on March 3 to formally censure Commissioner David Loveall. The vote followied findings from an independent investigation that substantiated violations of county policy related to workplace conduct and retaliation.

The censure resolution, introduced by Vice Chair Heather Buch, cited both the results of the investigation and Loveall’s failure to issue an apology as key factors in the Board’s decision.

“Given that Commissioner Loveall has not issued an apology, and given that County’s special counsel has advised that in the absence of an apology, it is in the best interest of Lane County to take appropriate corrective action to help reduce the county’s liability for any potential future retaliation actions taken by Commissioner Loveall against county employees,” Buch said.

The vote was not unanimous. Loveall abstained, while Board Chair Ryan Ceniga cast the lone dissenting vote.

The board’s decision followed a third-party investigation into allegations that Loveall violated provisions of the county’s Administrative Procedures Manual, specifically those addressing harassment, discrimination, mobbing, and retaliation.

According to the resolution, commissioners were provided with a condensed report summarizing the investigator’s findings, which concluded that Loveall had engaged in conduct that violated county rules. Commissioners held a due process hearing on February 18, during which Loveall—at his request—appeared in an open rather than executive session, accompanied by legal counsel.

During that hearing, Loveall was given the opportunity to respond to the allegations and defend his actions. The board subsequently requested that he issue an apology and acknowledge harm caused, a request the resolution notes was not fulfilled.

The resolution further states that Loveall had received multiple prior warnings regarding his obligation to adhere to county policies, including anti-retaliation provisions. Commissioners ultimately determined that his conduct constituted “willful neglect of duty.”

In formally adopting the censure, commissioners concluded that Loveall’s actions were “inappropriate and improper” and warranted official reprimand. The resolution also calls on Loveall to seek additional training and a better understanding of county policies.

In response, Loveall has filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Oregon, naming Lane County, County Administrator Steve Mokrohisky, and commissioners Buch, Laurie Trieger, and Pat Farr as defendants.

The lawsuit alleges violations of Loveall’s First Amendment rights, retaliation, and breaches of open meeting laws, as well as violations of his Fourteenth Amendment right to due process.

“Members of the Lane County government have engaged in a coordinated scheme to silence and penalize my political and religious speech in an attempt to affect the upcoming elections in May,” Loveall said in a statement. “This cynical effort ignored constitutional rights, open meeting laws, and due process in an unrelenting effort to achieve a seemingly predetermined political outcome.”

He added that the matter “should have been handled with fairness and transparency” and vowed to continue representing his constituents.

The complaint further alleges that county officials made decisions in private meetings on multiple occasions, in violation of Oregon’s public meetings law, and that those actions contributed to the censure process.

The censure and subsequent lawsuit mark a significant escalation in tensions within Lane County’s governing body, raising questions about internal conduct, transparency, and the balance between governance and constitutional protections.

The case is expected to proceed in federal court as both sides prepare to defend their actions.