The Oregon Government Ethics Commission gave former Gov. John Kitzhaber a break Friday, agreeing to a $20,000 fine to settle his ethics violations – less than half what he could have faced.

As part of the agreement, Kitzhaber agreed not to appeal the commission's findings that he misused his office for personal gain and repeatedly failed to disclose potential conflicts of interest that arose when he gave his fiancée Cylvia Hayes access she used to benefit her consulting business.

The ethics commission had identified 10 instances in which Kitzhaber violated state ethics laws. He faced fines up to $5,000 per violation, or as much as $50,000. The commission last year rejected a proposed $1,000 settlement as inadequate.

The commission found no intent behind Kitzhaber's actions. But he admitted to violating a law that limits gifts to public officials to $50, twice using his office for private gain, and seven instances of conflict of interest.

"I did violate several provisions of Oregon's ethics laws," Kitzhaber told the commission Friday, according to the Salem Statesman Journal. "As governor it was my responsibility ... to ensure these questions of ambiguity were referred to the commission.

"I erred, and I assume full responsibility for it," he said.

Hayes faces an even higher set of penalties. Earlier this year, the panel determined she had violated state law in 22 separate instances, including using her position for personal gain. That could mean fines as high as $110,000, though a settlement is possible in her case, too.

Private groups that wanted to influence Oregon's environmental and economic policies paid Hayes more than $200,000 during Kitzhaber's third term. Hayes was only able to land the contracts and complete the work, such as speeches she gave as first lady and a meeting of West Coast governors, because of her position, the ethics commission found.

-Ted Sickinger

503-221-8505; @tedsickinger

-Hillary Borrud contributed to this report.