Oregon Public Broadcasting

Three managers at the Oregon Department of Energy are under criminal investigation, after an audit turned up possible irregularities that could involve federal stimulus money. Now, the girlfriend of Oregon gubernatorial candidate John Kitzhaber is denying reports that her consulting firm is linked to the inquiry.

Bend-based energy consultant Cylvia Hayes says she's done nothing wrong.

The Oregon Department of Justice is looking into quote "potential contracting irregularities at the Oregon Department of Energy," according to Justice spokesman Tony Green. Three Energy managers are on indefinite leave.

One is the agency's Deputy director. The other two were responsible for managing federal stimulus money, according to the Energy department's website.

The Oregonian and the Willamette Week quote anonymous sources linking the investigation to Hayes.

She's been in what she describes as a "long-term personal relationship" with Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Kitzhaber.

Hayes released a statement saying emphatically that she has not been contacted by investigators and in fact invited them to call her if they have any questions.

Hayes also says that she believes the link to her firm is part of an effort to damage Kitzhaber politically.