Judge: Lawmakers must comply with subpoenas in harassment probe

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A Multnomah County Circuit Court judge has ruled that Oregon legislative leaders must comply with subpoenas for documents and testimony in the sexual harassment investigation at the Capitol.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Judge Christopher Marshall said Monday the subpoenas were reasonable in scope and had been issued lawfully by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries. But he also found the Legislature’s top officials initially had cause to object, rejecting the agency’s request for a contempt order and $1,000-a-day fines.

He gave lawmakers until Dec. 5 to provide documents and Dec. 18 to provide testimony.

Through their attorneys, Senate President Peter Courtney and House Speaker Tina Kotek had argued that supplying the information would jeopardize the privacy of people who had complained about misconduct.

On Monday, labor agency lawyer Nena Cook said the alleged victims’ information would be kept private under a protective order.

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Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com