The AFT’s state affiliate in Oregon has joined with its National Education Association counterpart to file a lawsuit against Bill Sizemore, the high-profile archconservative activist who has been a driving force behind several anti-union ballot initiatives in the state. The suit seeks to hold Sizemore personally liable for fraud and racketeering, which a jury last year found had been committed by two Sizemore organizations: Oregon Taxpayers United-Education Foundation (OTU-EF) and the OTU Political Action Committee (OTU-PAC).

A Multnomah County jury reached its decision in a widely watched court case, and the final court judgment totaling $2.5 million against OTU-EF and OTU-PAC was entered on July 25. The latest complaint alleges that Sizemore had full knowledge of and authorized the racketeering activities of the two organizations, making him personally liable for monetary judgment.

In May, a circuit court judge issued an injunction stating that Sizemore gained financially from racketeering. Judge Jerome LaBarre also held that Sizemore "manipulated and exploited these organizations for his own purposes--sometimes his own financial gain and sometimes to pursue his political objectives."

"This is the next logical step to enforce Oregon’s racketeering laws and to protect the citizens of this state," stated Gene Mechanic, attorney for AFT-Oregon. "We believe this action is well supported by the jury verdict and Judge Jerome LaBarre’s injunction against Sizemore and his entities." [Barbara McKenna / AFT On Campus]

[October 22, 2003]