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The independent state oversight agency rescinded its own inquiry into Juan-Carlos Molleda's travel spending, concluding his trips complied with university rules and state law.
The Oregon Government Ethics Commission last month closed its investigation into the former dean of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication’s travel spending, finding no wrongdoing.
The independent state oversight agency voted in August to open a preliminary review of Juan-Carlos Molleda’s university-funded travel about a month after he stepped down from his post, facing scrutiny into the cost of his trips.
In June, the university’s student newspaper, the Daily Emerald, published an investigation reporting that Molleda flew first class, added personal days to trips and may have violated university travel policy.
The ethics commission then opened a case on its own motion — a step it generally reserves for situations where public information suggests a possible ethics violation — to investigate whether Molleda violated two state laws barring public officials from misusing their position and requiring them to disclose conflicts of interest.
On Oct. 9, the commission moved to rescind its own motion, concluding after preliminary review that UO travel policy authorized Molleda’s travel expense payments and reimbursements and that his actions did not violate state law.
“It appears that these trips all involved legitimate business interests, were authorized by leadership at UO, and had extensive years-long planning,” the commission’s October motion states.
Molleda, who began at the School of Journalism and Communication as dean in 2016, said upon stepping down that he will conduct research in fall 2025 and winter 2026 before returning to the school’s faculty.
Molleda said in a statement Tuesday that he appreciates the commission’s review and decision, adding that any administrative errors identified through the process were “minor and promptly addressed.”
“I am grateful for the professionalism demonstrated throughout this process and pleased to have the matter resolved,” Molleda said in an email. “I will now take time to reflect and consider next steps.”
According to the Daily Emerald’s June investigation, a report from the Accreditation Council on Education and Mass Communication found that faculty thought Molleda wasn’t sufficiently hands-on as dean, and internal surveys and reviews from faculty said he lacked transparency.
Officials named Regina Lawrence, the associate dean of the School of Journalism and Communication Portland, as interim dean. The university on Monday began advertising a job opening for the permanent dean position.
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