Coast DA: Running The Vendetta Show?

Local News

Carrie Bartoldus May 21, 2008

District Attorney Josh Marquis told the Daily Astorian, NorthCoastOregon.com and KAST he had nothing to do with the “investigation” that the Department of Justice was conducting on then Commissioner, Richard Lee. The answers received in NCO’s Public Information Requests bring on more questions.

District Attorney Marquis and Sheriff Tom Bergin both said that it didn’t matter what it was called, inquiry or investigation, the Department of Justice (DOJ) had an investigator in Clatsop County. Based on the information finally obtained from two Public Information Requests (dating March 11 and one month later April 11) the readers of NCO can read that the DOJ was very specific with the words that they used and the emails clearly show that District Attorney Marquis not only initiated the investigation against Commissioner Lee but, with Sheriff Bergin, went out looking for county employees to file complaints against Lee.

In August of 2007 Josh Marquis wrote to Steven Briggs, director of the DOJ’s Criminal Justice Division. Marquis asks Briggs to investigate Lee based on the alleged complaints by two county employees, although the complaints had already been investigated and handled by the County, and on two new alleged complaints of county employees. However, at the time, it did not appear that the DOJ chose to act on the August 10th letter, as the Daily Astorian would have certainly reported it in time for the November vote on Measure 4-123.

What NCO has been able to find out is that the DOJ was waiting for a phone call from Sheriff Bergin on September 17, 2007. Investigator McBeth emails director Briggs and informs him that he has not heard back from Bergin. At approximately that same time Bergin is reacting in stunned disbelief because Sirpa Duoos has refused to cooperate and declared that she was never intimidated by the Lees.

Sky Olson, the gunsmith that another county employee supposedly came to with a complaint about Commissioner Lee, doesn’t have anything to report to the DOJ. The letter that the Building and Maintenance worker wrote complaining about Richard Lee disappeared. Marquis’ case is looking weak. (see related article)

To pad his side of that case Marquis contacts Director Briggs, according to Briggs’ September 14, 2007, email, and names an Internet Technician (IT) employee with the county who is “another complainant.” However, this alleged complainant never materializes, either. It isn’t until January 2008 that a witness steps forward complaining about the Lees “running amok” and being treated specially. This witness just happens to be the daughter of one of Marquis’ recently retired 14 year employees. (see related article)

There is nothing more from the DOJ until February 9, 2008. According to the Daily Astorian’s February 12 article Clatsop County Sheriff Tom Bergin confirmed for the paper that an investigation by an investigator for the DOJ was taking place on Richard Lee. Only three days prior, Marquis had emailed Page McBeth suggesting that he talk to Ed Wegner, Scott Derickson and Jennifer Bunch.

According to the emails obtained Investigator McBeth sends the Daily Astorian article to the DOJ and it is passed to media rep Stephanie Soden; Donna Maddux, McBeth’s supervisor and Director Briggs. On February 12 Briggs sends out an email clarifying to Soden, “So you don’t get blindsided, read this article. In fact, we have not opened an investigation, but just a preliminary inquiry to see if there was a basis for a full investigation. We were planning on calling the DA this week and telling him that there is not sufficient evidence to justify an investigation.”

Briggs tells Soden to respond to any inquiries regarding the Daily Astorian’s article about a DOJ investigation by stating, “We have not opened a formal investigation. We have received citizen complaints regarding certain facets of Clatsop County government and have simply inquired to determine if DOJ involvement is appropriate.”

The email was sent to Soden on February 12, Lee’s recall was more than a full month away and plenty of time for the community to become aware of the fact that the DOJ investigation showed no criminal activity yet no notice goes out. Four weeks later on March 3rd McBeth finally writes an email to Briggs stating, “After conducting a preliminary inquiry [on Lee], it was determined that a criminal investigation would not be initiated at this time.”

In the Public Information Request to the Department of Justice NCO asked for any and all documentation regarding Richard Lee that the Department of Justice had, including notes, memos, letters, emails and phone conversation recordings or memos of conversations. In nothing that NCO was given by the Department of Justice was any citizen complaint ever listed or mentioned. The only written complaint that the DOJ had was that of District Attorney Marquis, and the reports done by Jill Goldsmith.

More articles to follow based on the information received via the two Public Information Requests.

10 Comments

On May 21, 5:34 AM, Jon Dana wrote:

The only written complaint that the DOJ had was that of District Attorney Marquis --- Nice job again, keep banging the drum. JD

On May 21, 5:53 AM, Patrick McGee wrote:

Jesus!

Beat the hell out of a dead horse, with yet another piece of hack writing, why don’t you Bartoldus. this issue is way dead and if anything, the D.A. did his utmost to protect Lee you idiot, until a true investigation was to be determined by DOJ or not.

Talk about vendettas, your hatred for Marquis is really beginning to show and you are about to destroy what Tryan has worked so hard to create and truly categorize as just another hate filled “Cyber Rag”.

On May 21, 6:18 AM, Beach Boy wrote:

Very interesting news on the D.A.Marquis and Bergin. I thank you Carrie for reporting the truth.
McGee, You are very wrong on all your points on this matter. Can’t you see that the D.A. and sheriff are in this one together.
You also call this hack writing? I am quite sure the good people of this county would rather hear from Carrie Bartoldus than from you.
This is no vandetta,The people she mentions are bad people.
Rest assured McGee this is not a dead horse as you put it. How many of you people would like the D.A. to find employment elsewhere.
Please take the local sheriff with you.

On May 21, 8:27 AM, Name (required) wrote:

Marquis must go. This brand of corruption and railroading cannot stand.

On May 21, 9:19 AM, guest wrote:

The problem is the DA is still here, we are a couple years late hearing about him. Now much thanks to Carrie ‘s reporting and NCO and other blogs we are hearing the truth. Should we have listened to Mcgee when he hated him? NO!!He probably forgot or he wasn’t serious about the DA’S in-justice.
No dead horse Mcgee, sorry about your luck, the cow is out of the barn!
Skip on over to another forum, berate others be sure to let them know you speak out of two sides of your mouth, never mind most of the comments they know your a bully!

On May 21, 4:19 PM, Patrick McGee wrote:

</i>Marquis must go. This brand of corruption and railroading cannot stand.</i>

Exactly what brand of corruption and railroading?
Can you quote specific cases?

On May 21, 7:52 PM, does it matter he'll just call me carrie wrote:

Semantics is what lawyers argue about.

“I am not the generating force” what the hell does that mean? Does it mean the same thing that Clinton meant when he says, “I did not have sex with that woman” meaning “she had sex with me”?

Don’t argue semantics?

Marquis’ a liar and you trying to vilify a woman who you have never met (per her statement that she has made repeated attempts to contact you to resolve your issues) shows that you are the coward. Wannabe writer? Your idiocy shows every time you type. Even you are a writer, a poor one at best, but still a writer.

We all love it how one moment you gush, “I admire Bartoldus’ courage and convictions, blah, blah, blah, an intelligent woman who allowed herself to be pulled down by Lee, blah, blah, blah” and the next you brutally attack her, just because she has different view points then you do.

Grow up man. People can have different view points then you. Marquis is an elected official and answerable for his actions to everyone, not just a motley crew of kool-aid drinkers.

These emails show a pattern by a man with a vendetta. Bartoldus has shown the pattern. You allude to Bartoldus’ “vendetta” but as yet you haven’t shown us one piece of credible evidence that shows she has one or has a reason for one.

If you now make a vague reference that you won’t reveal it, or its her’s to reveal, you will prove yourself a liar. You’ve tried outing people often enough to show you don’t have any morals in regards to people’s privacy so, as you always say, “present your evidence, quote specific cases, here for us all to see or shut the hell up.”

Even if I don’t necessarily agree with the angle Bartoldus’ presents, she has a hell of a lot of courage. More than you have. She presents evidence she has worked for, no cut and paste jobs from other people’s work and websites. That is what makes her a real writer and makes you (and prob me for that matter) simple hacks.

Refute her points magoo or knock off your rants. ‘Splain it to us.

On May 21, 7:52 PM, RTV wrote:

WANTED: District Attorney for coastal community. Must be ethical and have a desire to protect the integrity of the justice system. Attorneys wanting to use the position as a stepping stone for higher office, to promote their personal political ambitions, or collect material for their “media libraries” need not apply.

Time to cut out the cancer.

On May 21, 8:26 PM, not a secretary for an attorney wrote:

What we need is one person, well respected, to start the ball rolling. No local lawyer will do it, even though every single one of them take pock shots at him from the dark. The Dems have a blanket over him, he hangs on Betsy “god” Johnson’s petticoats, politicians are afraid of him and if Kroeger makes it into the AG spot he’ll be covered there, too.

Unless someone steps forward we have to accept that he’s a corrupt politician, a dirty district attorney, who is never going to get caught. And each one of us let him get away with it.

“People are afraid of me because of my power” is what he said on Lars Larson show. Maybe, for once, he was speaking the truth.

In a county which once prided itself on taking matters into their own hands, this county folded pdq when confronted w/a real outlaw.

On May 23, 10:43 AM, somebody wrote:

Oh yes, people are afraid of Marquis and his power. Marquis takes pride in that remark.
I notice we seldom hear anything good about the “MAN”
His group has stayed in the background regarding his abilities, they think they are slick by remaining silent.
P. Mcgee tried awhile back to cheer lead for him on a forum...It didn’t work I don’t think he got one response how great he is.
The way P. Mcgee is stalking and harassing Carrie is just what he did when he hated Marquis.
Any together person is aware Carrie hasn’t the desire or time to write the post he accuses her of.
Little does P. Mcgee realize many, many citzens do not approve of Marquis for their own reasons. P. Mcgee must not get out much if he chooses to remain in the dark. I predict, Marquis will receive very few votes come election time.

Tip of the Day

You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life. ~ Winston Churchill

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