pstrongOregon

Oregon Union Faces Ethics Complaint: GOP Lawmakers Accuse SEIU of Manipulating Lobbying Tactics

by

Salem, Oregon — A group of eight Republican lawmakers has raised concerns that a powerful union in Oregon may have violated state lobbying laws during the recent legislative session. The accusations center around the Oregon chapter of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents over 70,000 workers across the state. Last month, the lawmakers submitted a formal complaint to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, alleging that SEIU provided misleading information in letters sent to legislators in late April. These letters aimed to garner support for a bill that sought to establish a board responsible … Read more

Oregon Nurse’s Lawyer Appeals 30-Year Sentence, Claims Trial Errors Undermined Defense in Sexual Abuse Case

by

PORTLAND, Ore. — A federal appeals court heard arguments aiming to overturn the convictions of Tony D. Klein, a former prison nurse sentenced to 30 years for sexually abusing multiple incarcerated women. During the proceedings, Klein’s attorney argued that the defense team was hamstrung in its ability to adequately challenge the government’s case. Assistant Federal Public Defender Elizabeth G. Daily stressed that the prosecution’s case lacked physical, forensic, or video evidence to substantiate claims that Klein assaulted women who sought medical care at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility between 2016 and 2017. She noted that although … Read more

Oregon Jury Hands $50 Million Verdict to Wildfire Survivors, Holding PacifiCorp Accountable for 2020 Fires

by

Portland, Oregon — A Multnomah County jury has awarded approximately $50 million to ten survivors of the devastating Labor Day wildfires that swept across Oregon in 2020, marking a significant legal victory against PacifiCorp, an electric utility company. This ruling adds to a series of verdicts that have collectively imposed more than $385 million in damages on the company, stemming from its alleged negligence during extreme fire conditions. The recent jury decision follows a 2023 class-action verdict that determined PacifiCorp failed to adequately shut off power, which contributed to the outbreak of four major wildfires. … Read more