Attorney General Dan Rayfield has announced the indictment of Clackamas County Commissioner Melissa Fireside on eight counts of theft, including aggravated theft in the first degree and identity theft. Fireside was arraigned at the Clackamas County courthouse and released under the condition that she avoids contact with both the elderly victim and Oregon State Representative April Dobson.
Rayfield emphasized, “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.”
The indictment follows a lengthy investigation conducted by the Lake Oswego Police Department alongside the Criminal Justice Division of the Oregon Department of Justice. District Attorney John Wentworth requested an independent review from the Oregon DOJ to avoid any conflict of interest after Fireside's election as commissioner.
Fireside faces charges for allegedly exploiting an 83-year-old man financially while accessing a computer network and forging signatures belonging to him and Dobson as part of her scheme. Rayfield remarked, “When someone in a position of public trust takes advantage of our seniors, it is a betrayal on multiple levels.”
The charges against Fireside include aggravated theft in the first degree, theft in the first degree, two counts each of identity theft and computer crime, along with two counts of forgery in the first degree. All charges are felonies; sentencing will adhere to Oregon's felony guidelines with potential penalties up to ten years for aggravated theft or five years for each other charge.
It is important to note that an indictment serves only as a formal charging document and does not imply guilt. Every defendant remains presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
Fireside is scheduled for her next court appearance on April 28th at 10 am for a status check under case number 25CR11597.