DeWolf resigns; no charges brought

Under fire in the wake of a Lane County District Attorney’s Office investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, Deschutes County commissioner Tom DeWolf resigned his post effective November 15.

The commissioner issued a statement explaining his resignation on October 24.

The investigation found that DeWolf put his hand down the pants of a woman in 1993, according to Associated Press reports. Charges won’t be filed because state law imposes a four-year statute of limitations on third-degree sexual abuse, said Kent Mortimore, the chief deputy district attorney in Lane County.

In the second incident, investigators said DeWolf touched the genitals of a Deschutes County employee at a dinner on November 19, 2003. Mortimore opted not to prosecute that incident because the unidentified woman did not want to press charges.

Lane County investigated DeWolf because of conflict of interest concerns raised by Deschutes County District Attorney Mike Dugan, whose department budget is controlled by the county commission, AP reported.

DeWolf said that “As a result of the statement released by the Lane County District Attorney’s office as reported by the media, it is clear to me that the best course of action on behalf of Deschutes County, my colleagues and constituents, my family, my wife and myself is for me to step down.”

In his statement, DeWolf insisted that “I stand by my statement of August 9 that the incident from two years ago was resolved the day after it occurred. Valid county policy was followed in that resolution. More important, the two of us involved followed decent human policy in resolving a private issue privately.”

The statement raised questions about the manner in which the investigation’s conclusions were released to the public.

“People have asked what purpose was served by the Lane County Deputy District Attorney holding a press conference in the county office building. They’ve asked what purpose was served by bringing up an incident from 12 years ago. They’ve asked what purpose was served when he used such salacious and sensational language in declaring his intention not to file charges... I have no answer for these questions.”

DeWolf noted that “I have done things in my past that I deeply regret. We in public office are held to a higher standard than private citizens. I accept that. Though everyone will have an opinion on what I should do, I now choose to resign in the hope that Deschutes County can focus on governing and my family and I can regain peace, quiet and balance in our lives.”