Former Clackamas County Commissioner Accused of Theft
A former commissioner from Clackamas County is facing serious allegations of stealing $30,000 and possibly fleeing the country with her children.
Melissa Fireside, a Democrat, has been charged with theft and forgery. This follows an incident in March where she allegedly took money from her mother’s boyfriend, who resides at an assisted living facility in Oregon. Reports note that she accessed the victim’s account while he was visiting the facility, instructing him to reset his online banking.
Court documents indicate that Fireside withdrew $29,000 from the victim’s account to repay a loan owed to state Representative April Dobson, and then transferred another $1,000 to her own account, contributing to multiple felony charges.
According to a news report, Fireside, described as a Portland-area activist, resigned from her position after being indicted for felony charges.
It was revealed that she traveled to Mexico with her child and then boarded a flight to Amsterdam. After being granted bail without an ankle monitor, concerns arose when the child’s father reported them missing, although investigators had no leads. Sources noted that Fireside was celebrated by progressive circles after winning against an incumbent conservative.
On Friday, the Oregon Department of Justice filed a motion to revoke her release, believing she had left the country. They stated, however, that they are actively looking for her. If she is confirmed to be outside the United States, there may be complications in bringing her back, depending on the country.
Fireside has been indicted on several serious charges, including theft and forgery, and was originally released under conditions that required her to stay in Oregon unless granted permission to leave by a court. A jury trial is set for December 2, 2025.
Authorities believe she is traveling with her 9-year-old son, noting that while the child is not thought to be in danger, ensuring the child’s safety remains a priority. The TSA informed the Oregon Department of Justice about Fireside booking a flight from Mexico to Amsterdam and using an Austrian passport, and it is suspected she may have entered Mexico with fake identification.
