Newly-elected Clackamas County Commissioner Melissa Fireside is in serious legal hot water—just months after taking office.
Fireside, 43, appeared in court Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to eight felony charges, including first-degree aggravated theft and first-degree theft, according to Oregon Live. The exact details of the accusations remain under wraps, as the indictment has yet to be made public.
The criminal investigation into Fireside began in October after a complaint was filed in September. She is accused of stealing money from an 83-year-old man after allegedly gaining access to his computer.
Just days before Election Day, law enforcement searched Fireside’s home in Lake Oswego, a Portland suburb. Her attorney later confirmed the search but did not elaborate.
According to KPTV, prosecutors allege that Fireside forged the elderly man’s signature—as well as that of Oregon State Representative April Dobson—to siphon off funds. Dobson stated that Fireside had borrowed money for her business over the summer, repaid the loan, but may have done so using stolen funds.
Despite mounting allegations, Fireside has remained silent, declining to comment publicly or through her lawyer.
Growing Calls for Resignation
While county officials attempt to move forward, Fireside’s presence looms over the Board of Commissioners. During their first meeting of the year—where Fireside officially took her seat—fellow Commissioner Ben West voiced deep concerns.
“There are looming questions with this board about how it will be governed in the next few months that will impact how we strategize and plan because of the legal issues that are still looming with Commissioner Fireside,” West told Oregon Live.
His frustration was palpable. “We’re entrusted with a lot of sensitive things here, and we do important work. It’s hard to do that work when, frankly, we’re all on eggshells.”
Fireside’s attorney, Mark Cogan, maintains her innocence, emphasizing the presumption of “innocent until proven guilty.” He also criticized the search warrants executed at her home, calling them “one-sided” and based on a “very low” legal standard.
But patience among her colleagues is wearing thin. Representative April Dobson has called for Fireside’s immediate resignation.
“Our residents deserve leaders they can trust,” Dobson said in a statement. “Melissa Fireside’s actions are unacceptable for an elected official, and I call on her to step down immediately.”
Commissioner Ben West echoed those sentiments after it was revealed that Fireside is taking a leave of absence.
“The felony charges against Commissioner Fireside are damning,” West said. “My heart goes out to the elderly man she allegedly victimized. The board must take swift action to protect the county and the vulnerable populations we serve.”
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Taking a ‘Leave of absence’ until this is resolved in one way or the other, appears to be the proper action, so long as that does not prevent the County Commission from legally functioning.
That’s the democrats way they been stealing money from everyone for fifty years or longer.
She should be treated just like it was a Republican who did it.