Vander Kamp asks court to prevent release of early-career Calif. personnel records – but his lawyer accidentally releases them
(Update: La Mesa records accidentally released by Vander Kamp attorney)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Deschutes County sheriff’s candidate Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp went to court Wednesday, seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the release of La Mesa, California Police Department personnel records from nearly 30 years ago sought by Oregon Public Broadcasting. But an error by his attorney made them available anyway.
The complaint and motion filed by Sherwood employment lawyer Randy Harvey named as plaintiffs the county sheriff’s office and Sheriff Shane Nelson, who at the time of his retirement announcement endorsed Vander Kamp’s Nov. 5 election opponent, sheriff’s Captain William Bailey. It also names recently appointed Undersheriff Paul Garrison, OPB and reporter Emily Cureton Cook.
The motion’s goal was to prevent the sheriff’s office from releasing through OPB’s public records request the confidential personnel records and information.
Vander Kamp claimed in the filing that release of the records “will cause immediate and irreparable harm,” violating his confidentiality and right to have the material kept private. He also asked the court to order that the plaintiffs show cause as to why the temporary restraining order should not be entered as a preliminary injunction until the matter is resolved.
Among other arguments, the complaint claimed, "There is no public interest that requires the disclosure of these records from almost 30 years ago in another state."
OPB reported earlier that Vander Kamp deceived county hiring officials when he applied for the job with the sheriff’s office decades ago, not listing his nearly two-year stint as a reserve police officer with the city of La Mesa. Nelson earlier this year began investigating if he was fired from that position, leading to a court fight with that city.
OPB initially reported Wednesday that the county initially refused to release the records publicly but that county legal counsel David Doyle told OPB they would be provided Wednesday.
But OPB later reported that before a judge could even hear the matter, Vander Kamp’s own attorneys inadvertently released the records, posting all 110 pages through links available in public court filings.
Last week, Vander Kamp posted a statement, including an apology on his campaign website, detailing what he’d just learned from the documents about his dismissal from the unpaid volunteer position with La Mesa Police, including that he used speed radar gear without proper certification and failing to report a visit to a gas station.
“I was young, immature, and inexperienced at that time, and I regret my actions,” he wrote, apologizing to his supporters.
OPB reported after reviewing the inadvertently released records Wednesday that La Mesa police investigators sustained one of five claims, finding he violated standards of conduct around honesty when he claimed he was certified to use a radar gun.
Just over a month ago, Vander Kamp filed a tort claim notice of a potential lawsuit against the sheriff’s office, alleging ongoing targeting, harassment and election interference.
Asked if he had any comment on the latest developments, Bailey told NewsChannel 21: "I am focused on my campaign and ready to continue serving Deschutes County residents as their next sheriff."
