State officials are wrapping up a wide-ranging investigation into allegations that a lawmaker ranked female lobbyists by their looks. They also are checking the lawmaker's claim that Salem insiders who spread rumors of a "hottest lobbyists list" violated his civil rights.

A fact-finding inquiry into allegations surrounding Rep. Diego Hernandez is "ongoing," Dexter Johnson, head attorney at the Legislature, said Thursday.

Lore Christopher, the Legislature's human resources chief whose staff is conducting the inquiry in cooperation with Johnson's, said the work should be complete by Thursday.

When the allegations became public July 1, Hernandez, a Portland Democrat in his first term, vehemently denied that he treated lobbyists inappropriately.

"Let me be as perfectly clear as I can be: I categorically and emphatically state that I have never engaged in any ranking of lobbyists based on physical attributes," said Hernandez, 29, in a statement.

"I believe that my civil rights have been violated by the spread of these vicious lies, and that question has become part of the inquiry. I believe that this whisper campaign against me is an attempt by some to intimidate me, and I won't let that stand."

Christopher said the investigation has included multiple interviews with lawmakers, staff and lobbyists and a "thorough review" of Hernandez's state-issued computer.

Citing attorney-client privilege, however, Johnson said Thursday he does not plan to tell the public what the investigation turns up or what conclusions it reaches. Johnson said Hernandez could share the findings on his own.

Hernandez said he plans to make public the investigators' conclusions.

"I want the truth out," Hernandez said in a text message. "This is unfair and I can't believe how easy it is to do this to someone."

-- Gordon R. Friedman

503-221-8209; @GordonRFriedman