Oregon Won’t Probe Packwood Actions on Harassment Charge

The state will not investigate a complaint that Sen. Bob Packwood violated election law by the way he handled sexual misconduct allegations against him, the Oregon elections chief says.

Secretary of State Phil Keisling said that Packwood’s alleged misconduct, even if it occurred, does not fall under the definition of Oregon’s undue influence law.

Packwood’s opponents alleged that the Republican senator broke a law against using undue influence in elections by lying to the news media and seeking to discredit women who accused him of making unwanted sexual advances.

“Oregon statutes do not give this office broad authority to regulate dishonesty by elected officials except under specific circumstances defined in election law,” Keisling said Thursday in a statement.

Packwood’s attorney predicted Friday that the Senate would follow Oregon’s lead and reject a challenge to his reelection.

Attorney James Fitzpatrick said: “The decision of the secretary of state in Oregon reinforces our view that there was no impropriety in the election procedure.

“We’re confident the Senate challenge will be rejected just as the state challenge has been.”

Another Packwood lawyer, John DiLorenzo, called Keisling’s finding “a complete vindication.”

Packwood was sworn in by the Senate on Tuesday after the Democratic and Republican leaders formally acknowledged the challenges--and referred them to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

The Senate complaints, by Oregon residents, asked that Packwood be disqualified from serving. Senate officials said there have been cases in which someone was sworn in and later unseated after a successful election challenge.

A lawyer for Packwood’s opponents responded by filing a follow-up complaint asking the Oregon secretary of state to look into whether other aspects of Packwood’s conduct violated the undue influence statute.

Packwood is accused of making uninvited sexual advances to 10 women from 1969 to 1989.