Last week, the Clackamas County Democrats postponed their decision to endorse a candidate for District Attorney until March 12, the day filing for the office closes. The way things stand today, they have only one ill-fated choice: incumbent District Attorney John Wentworth. That is an unacceptable choice for Democrats, Republicans and any voter who cares about the lives and safety of women and children in Clackamas County.
Wentworth failed to secure an indictment of Dr. David Farley after more than 200 reports of sexual assault were presented to the West Linn Police Department. Three of these reports were by us.
An independent review of the West Linn Police Department’s handling of this case confirmed what we have known all along. The lead police investigator was completely unqualified, victim advocates were not always present, victims were treated with indifference and disrespect, and basic procedures for obtaining evidence were not followed.
The errors and incompetence of the West Linn police were compounded by District Attorney Wentworth and his staff. According to the independent review, the DA’s office instructed the West Linn Police Department not to interview Farley!
In April 2022, more than two years after the investigation began and the Oregon Medical Board revoked Farley’s license, the district attorney decided to convene a grand jury to hear the evidence. From the outset, the deputy district attorney Wentworth assigned to the case made her impression of the case very clear to us: “It’s really difficult because he is a doctor.” Even though the Medical Board had no problem revoking Farey’s license for “unprofessional or dishonorable conduct, including sexual misconduct,” Wentworth’s staff couldn’t seem to grasp that.
Less than a quarter of the more than 200 women who filed complaints were asked to testify before the grand jury. Less than a quarter.
Those who were asked to appear were met with the same dismissive attitude by Wentworth’s deputy that infected her handling of the case from the start, implying that we didn’t know the difference between a legitimate medical exam and ungloved sexual assault.
In addition to ignoring evidence presented by most of Farley’s victims, Wentworth’s staff failed to present evidence that had been given to the Medical Board that he admittedly took nude photographs of children (including their genitalia and breasts) on his cell phone. Wentworth said that naked photos of children alone, such as those taken by parents of kids playing in the bath, do not constitute pornography. Really? These were not pictures of Farley’s kids, they were pictures of his patients!
Based upon this shoddy and careless prosecution, it is disturbing, but not surprising, that the grand jury did not indict Farley. What is more shocking is Wentworth’s litany of excuses. He misrepresented the Oregon Medical board’s evidence, lied about the number of victims, blamed the laws of Oregon and falsely claimed that “each reported victim with a colorable allegation of criminal misconduct testified before the grand jury under oath.” He even went as far as to blame the attorneys who are helping victims obtain justice in the civil courts.
John Wentworth lacks the honesty, integrity, leadership, competence and compassion to represent and protect the people of Clackamas County for four more years. Someone must step up to challenge him. Help wanted. Apply with the Oregon Secretary of State before March 12.
Most Popular
Comments / 0