Official clears Portland mayor in sex scandal

SALEM – There’s no credible evidence that Portland’s openly gay mayor, Sam Adams, initiated a sexual relationship with a minor in 2005, the state attorney general said Monday in a report that may put to rest a scandal that’s shaken a city proud of its progressive ways.

The report by Attorney General John Kroger also had harsh words for the man at the center of the drama, Beau Breedlove.

Pointing out that Breedlove posed for the erotic gay magazine Unzipped and saying Breedlove leaked details about his relationship with Adams, Kroger said Breedlove has benefited, “both in notoriety and financial gain.”

Attempts to reach Breedlove, a former legislative aide who turns 22 this week, were not immediately successful.

The sex scandal broke in January after Adams took office, when he admitted that during the election campaign last year he lied when he said he did not have sexual relations with Breedlove. In acknowledging the lie, Adams insisted he had waited until Breedlove turned 18.

The controversy divided Portland’s gay community – some said he should resign, others that he should stay. It also was a lightning rod between the city’s conservatives and liberals.

“I made mistakes in my personal life that led to this investigation. As a result, the city I love was put through an ordeal,” Adams said in a statement. “I am gratified the investigation has been completed, and I want to reiterate that I am sorry.”

Kroger looked into whether Adams had sexual contact with Breedlove before he turned 18, which would have been a misdemeanor. Breedlove said he was 17 when he and Adams first kissed – but Kroger’s report concluded that Breedlove’s accounts lacked corroborative evidence.

Adams currently faces a recall effort on behalf of a group that claims he subverted the democratic process with deceptive campaigning and abused his power. The group claims the recall has nothing to do with Adams’ sexual orientation.

Jasun Wurster, one of the organizers of the recall effort, said it will continue despite Monday’s report.