U.S. Attorney Announces Federal Criminal Charges Filed Against Former Portland Transportation Manager

U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Oregon
November 17, 2011

PORTLAND, OR—Amanda Marshall, United States Attorney for the District of Oregon, today announced the filing of a Criminal Information charging Ellis K. McCoy, age 60, of Hillsboro, Oregon, with accepting bribes in connection with his former employment as the Transportation Division Manager, Parking Operations, Portland Bureau of Transportation. The Information alleges that from June 2004 through July 2011, McCoy accepted checks and cash totaling approximately $124,000, and gifts and travel of undetermined value, intending to be influenced or rewarded in connection with his management of the City of Portland’s smart parking meter program.

The criminal charge is the result of a joint investigation by the FBI and IRS. On August 10, 2011, FBI and IRS agents executed search warrants at McCoy’s home in Hillsboro and at his Bureau of Transportation office in downtown Portland.

This case is being investigated by the FBI and Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). Seth D. Uram, Assistant U.S. Attorney is handling the prosecution of the criminal case.

An Information is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant should be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. McCoy will be summonsed to federal district court for an initial appearance before a United States Magistrate Judge on Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. The defendant is represented by Tom Price and Patrick Ehlers of the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Portland, who may be reached at 503-326-2123.