Thirst for rare bourbon led Oregon liquor officials to ‘abuse’ their position

Investigation concludes six officials violated state ethics laws by diverting alcohol, including Pappy Van Winkle, for own purchase

Officials with Oregon’s liquor and marijuana regulating agency allegedly “abused their position for personal gain” and violated state ethics laws to obtain rare bottles of top-shelf bourbon worth thousands of dollars.

The state’s governor on Wednesday asked the Oregon liquor and cannabis commission to remove the executive director, Steve Marks, and five other officials after an internal investigation concluded they used their knowledge and connections to obtain the pricey whiskey.