Councilman Faces Theft, Sex Charges

Councilman and leading mayoral candidate Jay Heusser trying to defend himself against last-minute charges of theft and sexual misconduct.

But even in the face of a lawsuit that accuses him of pocketing money from a public recreation program and making sexual advances on boys as a high school coach, Heusser still reportedly holds a commanding lead to become Preston’s next mayor.

“I wouldn’t be a felony parole and probation officer and member of the bishopric in my church and work here in the courthouse if any of these things were true,” Heusser said.

In his own court pleadings, Heusser has labeled one of the two residents suing him as a drunk and the other as a child abuser.

Two-term Mayor Walter Ross is not running, and a poll by a local radio station gives Heusser 76 percent of the Nov. 7 contest with his only opponent, political newcomer Dr. David Beckstead.