Posted on 03/17/2005 12:46:58 PM PST by crazyhorse691
The Oregon State Bar has cleared Clackamas County prosecutor Alfred French of ethics violations when he lied years ago to his former boss about an interoffice affair and when he participated in a presidential campaign ad last year that said Democratic Sen. John Kerry lied about his Vietnam War record. The bar's nine-member Professional Responsibility Board on Saturday put to rest its investigation, dismissing more than 60 complaints that French's actions involved dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation. The state bar is the regulating organization that licenses and disciplines attorneys in Oregon.
The ruling means that the 59-year-old father of three has emerged unscathed in two separate investigations into his conduct. Earlier this year, the secretary of state's office found that French did not violate Oregon election law by appearing in an ad by Swift Boat Veterans for Truth attacking Kerry.
"We're extremely pleased with the outcome," said Ralph Spooner, French's Salem attorney, who received notification about the state bar ruling Wednesday by mail. "We know they gave this matter careful and thorough attention and had input from all sides.
French did not return calls seeking comment, but Spooner said, "Mr. French is glad that the matter is now finally concluded."
A decorated Vietnam War veteran, French was suspended for two weeks by the Clackamas County district attorney's office last summer for using office equipment to print an affidavit in which he called Kerry a liar. He also had asked a legal secretary to notarize his signature on the affidavit. The suspension cost him $4,204. The district attorney's office did not discipline French for lying to his former supervisor about having an affair with an office secretary in 1991.
"We're glad the issue has been resolved," said Clackamas County Chief Deputy District Attorney Greg Horner. "We're glad that he's going to be able to continue with his responsibilities as a prosecutor."
Many of the people filing complaints with the Oregon State Bar felt that French submitted a false affidavit because he relied on the accounts of war buddies in some of his accusations that Kerry exaggerated his war record, rather than relying solely on his own personal knowledge. French has said he made it clear in the affidavit that he had not witnessed all the events he wrote about.
The Oregon State Bar found in its investigation that it was not in a position to affirm or refute the veracity of French's statements in the ad and the affidavit. The bar also said that no one, except perhaps French personally, was harmed when French lied about his affair and that it was "difficult to demonstrate how the misrepresentation might have jeopardized the public or demonstrates that French is a threat to the public."
The bar's complaint summary added that it did receive some letters supporting French and his right to free speech.
Boaz Herzog: 503-412-7072, boazherzog@news.oregonian.com
This is one time I would like to see someone get sued--like the idiot state of Oregon!
Dems have *always* played hardball.
Hasn't turned out very well for them, though, has it?!
Seems really harsh - compared to what real office abuser do (ie March Madness printouts).
This is what people mean of the democrat policy of personal destruction if you get in their way...
And where are they nice?
Bump and ping!
Very glad to see this.
Thank you for posting it.
And where are they nice?
Good news. He ought to sue them for any loss in income.
Typical tactics of the Democrats, as they seek to piunish anyone who disagrees with them or is in there way.
This guy was the original GuckertGannon. His crime was being a conservative, so his personal life was dug up.
Unbelievable and ... laughable. Wonder what the penalty is for unauthorized use of Paper Clips is.
Could you imagine how many Democrat activists would be "guilty" of these same acts. No Democrat governmnet worker ever printed a page or copied a page for private purposes or political purposes without paying for the page. No Democrat has ever had a Secretary in their government office notarize a form. Heck, I'll bet that when a Democrat politicain runs for office, a publicly funded Secretary commonly notarizes the forms.
It just goes to show how brave these guys really were not only in Vietnam, but here in America standing up to the totalitarian machine of the liberal democrats. God Bless them, without them I don't think GWB could have won.
I wonder how many lies kerry has told in his lifetime? Oh I forgot, kerry in the infinite liar ever-ready charged with treason, cowardness and anti-americanism. I hope this man sues kerry and the DNC. NSNR
"The Rat party is not very nice around the Portland Metro area."
You noticed that too? It's like being a goldfish in a tank full of piranhas!
It's nice to see "McCarthyism" fail.
You said it!
God Bless each and every one of the Vets!
The facists who control Portland and many other counties in Oregon end up losing when cases like this get out of their kangaroo courts.
So, can he turn around and sue the people who sued him now? If yes, I hope he does and collects back the $4,000.
However, it would be worth $4,000 to call Kerry a liar, which he is.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.