By issuing a statement saying he didn’t do anything illegal because he’s not married to his girlfriend. Call me a stickler, but I didn’t think the city attorney’s primary role was criminal defense. And in any case, I’d be interested to see this argument tested in court.

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Matt Davis was news editor of the Mercury from 2009 to May 2010.

15 replies on “Saltzmangate: City Attorney’s Office Responds”

  1. Surprised that the law doesn’t cover this situation.

    Any pictures of the lady in question? It would be funny if she is drastically out of Saltzman’s league…

  2. So, it can’t be a conflict of interest unless they’re a bonafide relative? Then if I were a councilman I’d be handing out all kinds of favors to get laid.

  3. OK, quick: someone draft a conflict of interest rule that anticipates every situation that MIGHT look ethically shaky, but that can’t be called out as pragmatically difficult, or potentially wildly over-inclusive.

    GO!

  4. Blabby has ‘nailed it’. I would also add section 2: Don’t give public money to people with the expectation that in return they will fuck you.

    Also – the deputy city attorney’s opinion means exactly jack shit in this context (‘based on the facts as presented to us’). I am sure that any criminal or law violator’s attorney can lay out the arguments why their client is not guilty. I believe that is the definition of many a lawyer’s job. If you want an actual assessment, don’t ask the person’s attorney who has a goal of protecting their client operating on facts as presented by the client.

    In other news, in the view of the city attorney government officials can now hand out money to their special lady friends (or gentlemen callers) as long as they don’t marry them! Huzzah! Now Merritt Paulson’s love for certain politicians dare speak its true name!

  5. This is NOT the view of the state OGEC, which (in other contexts) ties conflicts to those who reside together, regardless of relationship.

  6. Blabby nailed it for sure. Saltzman seems ever more the shmuck with each new witless attempt to defend himself. I mean, have some dignity and cop to it already, Saltzman.

  7. Reymont, Ms Burns is on facebook. When I did a little googling, I came upon a Trib article from 4/29 that included some little profiles of each candidate. Dan’s said, “Family: Girlfriend, Liz Burns…” as well as mentioning his daughter. Huh.

  8. The city attorney solely protects the City of Portland.

    This is the same office that protects the Portland Police.

    Most importantly this is a ‘memo’ not a ‘ruling’, only a judge can make a ‘ruling’. This can only happen if someone filed formal charges where a neutral (which the city attorney is not) third party can investigate.

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