Melissa Fireside, 43, a Democrat, is a newly elected Clackamas County Commissioner representing district one.
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Update 3/7/2025: Clackamas County Commissioner Melissa Fireside has resigned.
An Oregon county commissioner has been charged with several felonies for allegedly stealing from an elderly victim in a major fraud scheme. Melissa Fireside, 43, a Democrat, was arraigned on charges Wednesday. She is a newly elected Clackamas County Commissioner representing District One.
Fireside faces eight felony charges including first-degree theft, first-degree aggravated theft, two counts of identity theft, two counts of computer crimes, and two counts of first-degree forgery, according to court filings. The commissioner has been accused of taking financial advantage of an 83-year-old man while accessing a computer network. She allegedly forged the victim's name on documents to steal his funds, per the indictment. The total stolen amounted to tens of thousands of dollars over a series of at least eight separate criminal incidents.
Fireside is being prosecuted by the Oregon Department of Justice. She has also been accused of forging the signature of Democrat state Rep. April Dobson, who represents Happy Valley, to steal the victim's funds. A Clackamas County judge ordered Fireside to have no contact with both the victim and Dobson during Wednesday's hearing. She was not remanded to custody.
According to the indictment, Fireside "unlawfully and knowingly accessed a computer for the purpose of committing theft of money." This included forging or altering several promissory notes: one for $29,000 and another for $30,000. The first recorded criminal act occurred on September 16, 2024, according to court documents.
Ben West, a Republican Clackamas County Commissioner, has called on Fireside to resign.
"Law enforcement has informed me that the case against Commissioner Fireside is incredibly strong, and allegedly, she preyed upon and abused an elderly man with significant health and cognitive issues," West told The Post Millennial. "Preying on those who can't defend themselves is the worst type of crime. Commissioner Fireside must resign and step down to address her felony charges. My top priority is protecting the county and the vulnerable populations in our care."
Fireside was elected to her position in November, unseating Republican incumbent Mark Shull in a narrow upset victory. She first came under investigation in September 2024 and had her home raided by Lake Oswego police on October 30, 2024, just days before the general election. County residents have since brought concerns before the board, questioning why the investigation into Fireside was not disclosed before the election, suggesting she may not have won had her constituents been made aware of the matter. County sources told The Post Millennial that local media was reportedly aware of the allegations against Fireside but failed to report on the investigation, sparking concerns of election interference.
Clackamas County is a moderate county adjacent to Portland, Oregon, and is known for its law and order policies. Prior to the most recent election cycle, the county board of commissioners was dominated by Republican legislators until it flipped Democrat. Fireside is an anti-police progressive who has previously supported controversial progressive candidates in Portland, all of whom have since been removed from office due to failed policies, such as former commissioner JoAnn Hardesty.
Oregon Democrat Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in a press release announcing Fireside's indictment: "It does not matter who you are, which political party you're in, or what position you hold, we will aggressively prosecute those who victimize Oregon's seniors."
Under Oregon law, convicted felons are permitted to hold office. If Fireside were to be convicted of the felony charges, to be taken out of office she would either have to resign or be ousted by voters in a recall effort or the next general election cycle. Clackamas County Commissioners serve four-year terms and her salary sits at $130,213.
Fireside is scheduled to appear back in court on April 28.
An Oregon county commissioner has been charged with several felonies for allegedly stealing from an elderly victim in a major fraud scheme. Melissa Fireside, 43, a Democrat, was arraigned on charges Wednesday. She is a newly elected Clackamas County Commissioner representing District One.
Fireside faces eight felony charges including first-degree theft, first-degree aggravated theft, two counts of identity theft, two counts of computer crimes, and two counts of first-degree forgery, according to court filings. The commissioner has been accused of taking financial advantage of an 83-year-old man while accessing a computer network. She allegedly forged the victim's name on documents to steal his funds, per the indictment. The total stolen amounted to tens of thousands of dollars over a series of at least eight separate criminal incidents.
Fireside is being prosecuted by the Oregon Department of Justice. She has also been accused of forging the signature of Democrat state Rep. April Dobson, who represents Happy Valley, to steal the victim's funds. A Clackamas County judge ordered Fireside to have no contact with both the victim and Dobson during Wednesday's hearing. She was not remanded to custody.
According to the indictment, Fireside "unlawfully and knowingly accessed a computer for the purpose of committing theft of money." This included forging or altering several promissory notes: one for $29,000 and another for $30,000. The first recorded criminal act occurred on September 16, 2024, according to court documents.
Ben West, a Republican Clackamas County Commissioner, has called on Fireside to resign.
"Law enforcement has informed me that the case against Commissioner Fireside is incredibly strong, and allegedly, she preyed upon and abused an elderly man with significant health and cognitive issues," West told The Post Millennial. "Preying on those who can't defend themselves is the worst type of crime. Commissioner Fireside must resign and step down to address her felony charges. My top priority is protecting the county and the vulnerable populations in our care."
Fireside was elected to her position in November, unseating Republican incumbent Mark Shull in a narrow upset victory. She first came under investigation in September 2024 and had her home raided by Lake Oswego police on October 30, 2024, just days before the general election. County residents have since brought concerns before the board, questioning why the investigation into Fireside was not disclosed before the election, suggesting she may not have won had her constituents been made aware of the matter. County sources told The Post Millennial that local media was reportedly aware of the allegations against Fireside but failed to report on the investigation, sparking concerns of election interference.
Clackamas County is a moderate county adjacent to Portland, Oregon, and is known for its law and order policies. Prior to the most recent election cycle, the county board of commissioners was dominated by Republican legislators until it flipped Democrat. Fireside is an anti-police progressive who has previously supported controversial progressive candidates in Portland, all of whom have since been removed from office due to failed policies, such as former commissioner JoAnn Hardesty.
Oregon Democrat Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in a press release announcing Fireside's indictment: "It does not matter who you are, which political party you're in, or what position you hold, we will aggressively prosecute those who victimize Oregon's seniors."
Under Oregon law, convicted felons are permitted to hold office. If Fireside were to be convicted of the felony charges, to be taken out of office she would either have to resign or be ousted by voters in a recall effort or the next general election cycle. Clackamas County Commissioners serve four-year terms and her salary sits at $130,213.
Fireside is scheduled to appear back in court on April 28.
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