Child sexual abuse charges were dismissed Tuesday against prominent gay rights activist and Democratic Party fundraiser Terry Bean.
Lane County Circuit Judge Jay McAlpin dismissed the case without prejudice, meaning that prosecutors could refile charges in the future if the alleged victim, a 17-year-old boy, was willing to testify for the state at a trial.
The Register Guard reported that Bean promptly issued a prepared statement, saying that he “was falsely accused and completely innocent of every accusation that was made.” He thanked supporters and said he “look(s) forward to being able to tell the story of this conspiracy of lies, deceit, blackmail, malicious prosecution and homophobia now that this case has ended.”
His attorney, Derek Ashton of Portland, told reporters that Bean was not present in the hotel room when the alleged sexual encounter happened in September 2013, and that he had a witness who would have testified to that claim.
Lane County Chief Deputy District Attorney Erik Hasselman said in an interview that the state had “witnesses” who assert that Bean was in the room, which he said Bean had rented. Hasselman also said that the victim — despite his refusal to testify at this time — maintains that the allegations are true.
