Columbia Journalism Review Revisits Neil Goldschmidt's Abuse of a Teenage Girl

WW's reporting highlighted on 100th anniversary of Pulitzer Prizes.

By Aaron Mesh

This spring's edition of the Columbia Journalism Review examines some landmark stories that have been awarded the Pulitzer Prize over the last 100 years.

One story carries particular resonance for Oregonians: The work of Nigel Jaquiss in Willamette Week, exposing former Oregon Gov. Neil Goldschmidt for repeatedly raping a teenager.

Jaquiss' story, awarded the 2005 Pulitzer for investigative reporting, remains a singular achievement in Oregon journalism—one that changed the political landscape of the state and humbled many of its power brokers.

Goldschmidt's victim, Elizabeth Lynn Dunham, died in 2011. WW examined her life and how it was changed by Goldschmidt's abuse.

The latest CJR piece examines how Jaquiss broke the Goldschmidt story when other newspapers—including the state's powerful daily, The Oregonian—failed to pursue it.

Much of this history is well known to Portlanders, but for new arrivals, it may prove illuminating.

Willamette Week

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Columbia Journalism ReviewNeil GoldschmidtNigel Jaquiss

Aaron Mesh

Aaron Mesh

Aaron Mesh is WW's editor. He’s a Florida man who enjoys waterfalls, Trail Blazers basketball and Brutalist architecture.

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