Portland Fire & Rescue Must Hand Over Club Sesso Documents to Whistleblower

Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill ruled the city must turn over transcripts.

The fallout continues from Portland Fire & Rescue's handling of the now-defunct swingers hangout Club Sesso.

On Nov. 23, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill ruled the city must turn over transcripts from its investigation into Assistant Fire Marshal Doug Jones, who told Club Sesso owner Paul Smith to proceed with a June 28, 2014, party the city had previously forbidden.

Although the city turned over the results of its investigation to WW and The Oregonian in February, it inexplicably refused to give the documents to fire inspector Rob Cruser, who blew the whistle on Jones.

Last week, Underhill ruled in favor of Cruser's appeal, saying the city's argument for withholding documents it had already made public was "completely contrary to the situation at hand."

Deputy City Attorney Lory Kraut tells WW the city will comply with the ruling. She declined further comment.

Cruser says the city's attempt to stonewall him sends a message that whistle-blowers should expect "a long, uphill battle."

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