By News-Register staff • 

Mike Nearman pleads guilty to official misconduct

Mike Nearman
Mike Nearman

Former Oregon  State Representative Michael Nearman pled guilty July 27 to the crime of Official Misconduct in the First Degree, and was sentenced by Judge Cheryl Pellegrini in Marion County Circuit Court.

The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on Dec. 21, 2020, when Nearman, then a member of the Oregon House of Representatives, intentionally allowed protesters into the Oregon State Capitol at a time when the building was closed.

Once inside, the protesters, some of whom were armed, fought with law enforcement officers and caused damage to the building.

According to a press release from the Marion County District Attorney's office, Nearman’s stipulated sentence includes 18 months of bench probation and orders him to perform 80 hours of community service work, pay $2,700 in restitution for the damage caused to the building, and bans him from the Oregon State Capitol and its grounds.

Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson stated that, “This plea and sentencing concludes an embarrassing and disgraceful event in our state’s history. I am thankful that no members of law enforcement, or anyone else were seriously injured as a result of Mr. Nearman’s irresponsible actions. Additionally, I am grateful to the Oregon State Police for their complete and thorough investigation that led to this conviction.”

A charge of Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree was dismissed as part of the plea agreement. Nearman lives near Independence. Anna Scharf of Amity has since been appointed to fill out his term.

Comments

thunderbolt

I hope that voters never forget that commissioner Mary Starrett recently voted to continue to have this man serve in the legislature and represent the citizens of Yamhill County. It is a clear testimony to her distain for abiding by the law. What Nearman did was so disgusting and all the evidence, including the video, was there for everyone to see.

tagup

Nearman told Lars Larson that he plead guilty to avoid additional attorney costs and that he didn’t think he did committed a crime or did anything wrong......that’s his respect level for the law....and Ms Starrett apparently agrees.
Wonder where all the “Blue Lives Matter” advocates stand on Nearman’s comments....It was the state police that paid the price for his self serving plan....

tagup

** had **

David Bates

Imagine if Tina Kotek had, under the same circumstances, unlocked the door for BLM protesters ... I doubt Larson would have offered a sympathetic forum where she could proclaim her innocence (after pleading guilty!)

Rotwang

Nearman is certainly not the first person to plead guilty to something simply to get the government off his back. It doesn't demonstrate any disrespect for "the law." If anything, it is a sign of weariness. Time to write it all off, acknowledge the loss, and move on.

tagup

He’s also not the first to plead guilty because he is guilty and knew he was caught on film...
his statements to save face are definitely disrespect of the law and to the state troopers that had to deal with his cowardly little plan.,.

Tyler C

Mike Nearman is despicable. No only does he have no respect for the law, but he had absolutely no respect for his position as a state representative. He left his district essentially unrepresented for months as wasted everyones time having to expel him.

The evidence is absolutely clear: he coordinated with and intended for that crowd of loonies to do harm to the capital and to the other representatives in the building. He is one of a growing number of unpopular politicians who can't get their way politically so they hope to get their way with violence.

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