Oregon State Rep. Mike Nearman Charged Over Role in Opening Capitol to Far-Right Protesters
On 5/1/21 at 12:24 AM EDT
Republican Oregon state Representative Mike Nearman is facing legal charges for allowing far-right protesters to enter the state Capitol on Monday, December 21, 2020. His actions violated the building's COVID-19 and safety protocols.
Nearman faces a first-degree misdemeanor charge for official misconduct and a second-degree misdemeanor charge for criminal trespass, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB). He is scheduled to appear in the Marion County Court at 9 a.m. on May 11.
Surveillance video on December 21, 2020 captured Nearman exiting a locked Capitol building door. Upon exiting, far-right demonstrators, including Patriot Prayer members, forced their way into the building. They had been outside protesting the state's coronavirus restrictions.