Former Portland City Manager Pleads Guilty to Accepting Bribes

PORTLAND, OR—S. Amanda Marshall, United States Attorney for the District of Oregon, today announced that Ellis K. McCoy, 61, of Hillsboro, Oregon, pleaded guilty to accepting more than $164,000 in bribes in connection with his former employment as the Transportation Division Manager, Parking Operations, Portland Bureau of Transportation. McCoy admitted that from January 2002 through July 2011, he accepted checks and cash totaling approximately $164,500 and gifts and travel valued up to $20,000 paid by executives of two companies who supplied smart parking meters and other services to the city of Portland. Neither the executives nor their companies were identified.

McCoy also pleaded guilty to filing false federal income tax returns for 2006, 2007, and 2008, three of the years in which he accepted bribes. He admitted falsifying these tax returns to conceal his receipt of bribes by reporting the bribes as legitimate receipts of his consulting company, EKM Consulting, and by reporting fictitious consulting expenses. McCoy further admitted he owes $43,025 in additional income taxes.

U.S. Attorney Marshall stated, “A public official who takes bribes violates the public trust and undermines confidence in government. This office vigorously investigates all allegations of public corruption and prosecutes bribe takers to the full extent of the law.”

McCoy’s guilty plea 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’ home in Hillsboro and at his Bureau of Transportation office in downtown Portland.

The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Uram. McCoy 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.