The embattled Oregon Department of Forestry faces a new whistleblower lawsuit in Marion County Circuit Court. 

Shauneen Scott, a 40-year state employee who most recently served as ODF’s human resources director, alleges in the April 18 lawsuit that she filed reports with the state about a variety of concerns about ODF management after joining the agency in 2024. After some of those concerns contributed to high-level departures, Scott’s lawsuit says, the department’s acting director, Kate Skinner, fired Scott in February 2025. She is seeking $800,000 in damages. 

The Oregon Department of Justice, which will defend the state against Scott’s lawsuit, does not comment on pending litigation. 

The lawsuit adds to the troubles at ODF, which has seen its top two executives fired in the past six months and was dinged by the Oregon State Treasury for poor financial management. The Legislature bailed out the agency in a special session last fall.

Oregon Journalism Project

This story was produced by the Oregon Journalism Project, a nonprofit investigative newsroom for the state of Oregon. OJP seeks to inform, engage and empower Oregonians with investigative and watchdog reporting that makes a significant impact at the state and local levels. Its stories appear in partner newspapers across the state. Learn more at oregonjournalismproject.org.

Nigel Jaquiss is an investigative reporter for the Oregon Journalism Project. A graduate of Dartmouth College and the Columbia School of Journalism, he's the winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting for his work at Willamette Week. He is also a recipient of the Bruce Baer Award — the highest honor in Oregon journalism — and several other significant honors.

One reply on “Whistleblower sues Oregon Department of Forestry”

  1. Oregonians always appreciate honest reporting and quality journalism that doesn’t follow predetermined ideologies. I’ve been happily surprised by the reporting in the WW that doesn’t favor any political party. Old school Liberalism is very much appreciated over the newest incarnation of the Oregon Liberal. Keep propaganda out of journalism.

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