Greg Smith faces ethics investigation over big pay raise

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission has ordered an investigation into whether state Rep. Greg Smith illegally used his position as a public agency executive to raise his own pay.

Investigators also were directed to examine whether Smith failed to disclose a conflict of interest in the process, a violation of state ethics laws.

Smith, of Heppner, is the most senior member of the Oregon House, serving as a Republican representative since 2001. He holds powerful…