Former Oregon House Speaker Dave Hunt cited in sex trafficking sting
Former Oregon House Speaker and current Clackamas Community College board member Dave Hunt was cited by Portland police in an undercover sex traffic sting operation in April.
Contacted by the Portland Tribune on Monday, May 3, Hunt said, "I don't think I should talk about that." Hunt's attorney, Micheal De Munis, said, "Mr. Hunt denies the allegations, but respects the criminal justice process and will refrain from saying more until he has his opportunity in court." Clackamas Community College said Hunt was taking a leave from the board.
As a legislator, Hunt was one of numerous sponsors of a bill criminalizing sex trafficking in 2007. In 2011, he also voted for HB 2714, that bill created the crime of commercial sexual solicitation, the crime for which he was arrested and cited.
It's hard to imagine Oregon didn't have a law against commercial sex solicitation prior to 2011. Think of all the opportunities I missed!
The Portland Police Bureau issued a press release May 1, saying its Human Trafficking Unit had cited eight men in an operation conducted in April. Officers posted online decoy ads on known human trafficking websites, and the subjects who "contacted undercover police officers to arrange payment for sexual acts" were criminally cited on the charge of commercial sexual solicitation.
The release did not name those cited, but said the list was available on request. The Portland Tribune requested the list and received it Monday morning, May 3. It included "53-year-old David Hunt of Milwaukie."
Reporters at the Portland Tribune then requested and received a portion of the police report. The suspect has the same full name, date of birth and home address as the former speaker and current CCC board member. It said he was arrested and cited on April 28 by two Portland police officers at a Ramada Inn in Southeast Portland.
A Democrat, Hunt served as state representative for District 40 of the Oregon House of Representatives, representing Clackamas County from 2003 to 2013. He was elected Oregon House majority leader for the 2007-2009 session and served as speaker during the 2009-11 session.
Hypocrisy from a politician? I'm shocked, shocked.
H/T, Sundance at CTH.
No comments:
Post a Comment