An extensive investigation into workplace conduct within the Clatsop County District Attorney’s Office remains active, drawing significant public scrutiny as current and former employees recently aired their grievances before the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners.
During a poignant public comment session, trial assistant Kaelee Kinney delivered powerful testimony, asserting that district attorney staff have consistently reported similar deep-seated workplace issues to county Human Resources over a span of several years, indicating a persistent problem.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by the fact that two employees are currently on indefinite leave directly tied to the ongoing investigation. Furthermore, a number of other staff members, including Kinney herself and an attorney, are on family and medical leave, while individuals familiar with the office’s operations have described a pervasive and deeply concerning toxic work environment.
Kinney bravely detailed instances of threatening and bullying behavior within the office to the county commissioners, her words amplified by the silent, steadfast solidarity of four current and former district attorney office employees who stood behind her, lending their collective weight to her urgent appeal.
“There’s many employees’ lives that have been impacted severely by this,” Kinney emphasized, highlighting the widespread suffering. She articulated how these conditions have manifested in severe physical and mental health issues among staff, alongside significant family strains, painting a grim picture of the extensive personal toll.
With District Attorney Ron Brown overseeing a staff of 20, including seven deputy district attorneys, the current staffing shortages—exacerbated by numerous employees being on various types of leave—have created a significant ripple effect. Kinney explained how this deficit is profoundly impacting the functionality of the Clatsop County District Court, creating broader systemwide challenges.
“It’s affecting the defense bar, it’s affecting courts, it’s affecting local law enforcement,” she lamented, underscoring the far-reaching consequences. Kinney passionately argued that the true victims are the dedicated Clatsop County employees, who, despite their hard work, feel betrayed by the county’s perceived failure to act on numerous prior reports of similar behavior, leaving them in an unsafe environment.
In response to inquiries for an update on the investigation, Clatsop County Manager Don Bohn stated that no new information could be shared at this time. However, county spokesperson Jennifer Benoit clarified that the district attorney’s office has coordinated temporary staffing support by reassigning experienced employees from other county departments to mitigate the operational impact of the current staff absences.
