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shawa
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Joined: 03 Sep 2004
Posts: 2004
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 Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 7:00 pm Post subject: State Bar Clears Al French |
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http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1111057379153321.xml
| Quote: | State bar clears prosecutor over Kerry ad
Alfred French is found not to have committed ethics violations over the Swift Boat Veterans' claims and an interoffice affair
Thursday, March 17, 2005
BOAZ HERZOG
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 |
_________________
“I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.” (Thomas Paine, 1776) |
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carpro
Admin
Joined: 10 May 2004
Posts: 1176
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 10:35 pm Post subject: |
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It's no surprise.
It's just a shame he had to go through this mess to begin with.
The victim of a politically motivated witch hunt.
_________________
"If he believes his 1971 indictment of his country and his fellow veterans was true, then he couldn't possibly be proud of his Vietnam service." |
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rhv5862
PO2
Joined: 21 Aug 2004
Posts: 379
Location: Massachusetts
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| Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 12:35 am Post subject: State Bar Clears Al French |
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That is great news. Free speech and truth lives.
RHV |
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