FORMER WEST LINN MAYOR PATTI GALLE PLEADS GUILTY TO MAKING A FALSE STATEMENT IN THE VOTER’S PAMPHLET

May 11, 2010
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Judge sentences her to probation, community service and orders her to pay fine

Attorney General John Kroger today announced that former West Linn Mayor Patti Galle pleaded guilty to making a false statement under state elections law.

“Lying in the Voter’s Pamphlet is unacceptable,” said Attorney General Kroger.

Galle was sentenced to three years of supervised probation, 120 hours of community service and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine to cover the cost of the Department of Justice’s investigation.

Patricia Jean Galle filed to run for mayor of West Linn in August 2008. She admitted that her filing papers included a statement that she was “Degreed in English.” When Clackamas County elections officials later contacted Galle, she authorized them to include “College Degree in English” in the “Educational Background” section of the voter’s pamphlet.

In February 2010 – after her election – Galle applied online and paid for an Associates Degree from Redding University. She admitted that she understood that Redding University is not an accredited college and its degrees are not recognized by the State of Oregon or United States Department of Education.

Falsely claiming to have an academic degree in the state Voter’s Pamphlet is a violation of ORS 260.715(1), which is a Class C felony.

Public records from the Department of Justice’s investigation can be found here: https://www.doj.state.or.us/public_records/investigations.shtml

Senior Assistant Attorney General Eugene F. Ebersole prosecuted the case for the Oregon Department of Justice.

Attorney General John Kroger leads the Oregon Department of Justice. The Department’s mission is to fight crime and fraud, protect the environment, improve child welfare, promote a positive business climate, and defend the rights of all Oregonians.

Contact:

Tony Green, (503) 378-6002 tony.green@doj.state.or.us |