PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Department of Justice has charged Umatilla County District Attorney Dean Gushwa with five counts of official misconduct, alleging Gushwa used his office to obtain sexual gratification and then cover it up.
The five counts against Gushwa are all misdemeanors.
A former employee of the district attorney’s office has accused Gushwa of subjecting her to physical, sexual and emotional abuse from December 2008 to April 2010.
Gushwa has denied the allegations.
The former employee has notified Umatilla County and the state of Oregon to expect a possible lawsuit over claims that they failed to protect the employee from the alleged abuse.
Gushwa took a leave from office in August after the East Oregonian newspaper first reported the complaint.
Senior Assistant Attorney General Erin Greenawald will prosecute the case.
