Federal Labor Department accuses R.B. Pamplin corporation of abusing pension funds in lawsuit

Federal leaders are publicly accusing an Oregon businessman of abusing employees’ retirement funds.

The U.S. Department of Labor has launched a lawsuit against Robert B. Pamplin Jr. and R.B. Pamplin Corporation on Thursday, Sept. 12, alleging they violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act as far back as 2019.

Pamplin formerly owned a chain of nearly two dozen newspapers in Oregon, including the Portland Tribune. Carpenter Media Group bought the chain earlier this year, severing ties between Pamplin and the papers.

The labor department referred to Pamplin’s Albina, Tait and Ross Island properties. The company currently owes the pension plan over $2 million in late lease payments, according to the complaint.

This excerpt was originally published by KOIN 6 News and used with permission. Read the rest of the story on KOIN's website .