Goldschmidt to surrender his Oregon law licence

PORTLAND — Former Gov. Neil Goldschmidt, who admitted to repeated sex with a 14-year-old girl in the 1970s, will surrender his law license, the Oregon State Bar Association said Friday.

That would end the bar’s disciplinary investigation into Goldschmidt’s behavior, Oregon State Bar spokeswoman Kateri Walsh said.

In a sworn statement dated Wednesday and notarized in Ketchum, Idaho, Goldschmidt said he was aware the bar was reviewing his actions in line with its disciplinary actions, The Oregonian newspaper reported.

“I do not desire to contest or defend against any Oregon State Bar investigation or proceeding concerning the above-mentioned conduct,” Goldschmidt wrote.

Walsh said the Oregon Bar would close its files on the issue as soon as the Oregon Supreme Court accepts the resignation. Goldschmidt passed the Oregon bar in 1967 but has been an inactive member and has not practiced for years.

The bar opened its investigation after Goldschmidt admitted to the sexual contact recently after the Willamette Week newspaper told him it was going to reveal the relationship.

The Oregon State Bar Association rules define official misconduct as a criminal act that reflects badly on a lawyer’s honesty, fitness and trustworthiness to practice law.

Sex with a girl under 16 constitutes statutory rape in Oregon, a felony.

The statute of limitations for prosecution has long expired but there is no statute for Oregon State Bar disciplinary action.

Goldschmidt representative Brian Gard said in Portland that neither he nor Goldschmidt would have any comment.