Ore. police say DA's office didn't misuse data

Saturday, May 28, 2011

BEND, Ore. (AP) -- Oregon State Police have concluded that the Deschutes County district attorney's office didn't misuse a law enforcement data system when it searched for information on a defense lawyer.

But authorities haven't explained why the prosecutor's office looked in the restricted Law Enforcement Data System for information about lawyer Michael Romano.

The Bend Bulletin says Romano believes the DA's office was attempting to intimidate him after a dispute over plea negotiations.

An assistant to District Attorney Patrick Flaherty said the inquiry was a mistake and Romano was not suspected of criminal activity.

The State Police director of the data system interviewed Flaherty and told the Bend Bulletin that the inquiry was justified.

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Information from: The Bulletin, http://www.bendbulletin.com