It happened on Dec. 21. House Speaker Tina Kotek confirmed the investigation into Rep. Mike Nearman (R-Independence).
Author: Maggie Vespa
Updated: 7:20 PM PST January 7, 2021
PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon State Police is investigating a Republican state representative for helping armed far-right demonstrators enter the closed Capitol building in Salem, during last month’s one-day special session. It happened on Dec. 21. House Speaker Tina Kotek confirmed the investigation into Rep. Mike Nearman (R-Independence) Thursday morning, after it was first reported by Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB).
“We have been waiting to talk publicly about one element of the entry of the demonstrators, and that is that Oregon State Police has confirmed and informed us that Representative Mike Nearman did open a door to let demonstrators into the building,” Kotek (D-Portland) said during a press conference via Zoom. “This was a serious, serious breach of public trust.”