COQUILLE — A former Coos County deputy district attorney has filed suit against Coos County and District Attorney Paul Frasier for wrongful termination and retaliation for whistleblowing.
Michael Chartrey, a deputy DA prosecuting major felonies and sex crimes from Feb. 14, 2013 to June 29, 2015, alleges he complained to Frasier and the county's human resources department about unlawful activity of another deputy DA on or about June 14 and 15.
In his complaint, Chartrey alleges he approached Frasier with the following information about the deputy DA in question:
- Bullying, harassing and/or intimidating coworkers;
- Searching through private personnel and confidential employment records;
- Driving a county vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants;
- Harassing and/or creating a hostile workplace environment for women.
Alleging Frasier attempted to dissuade him from disclosing information, Chartrey then contacted the human resources department, an act which he believes substantially factored in his termination.
"Prior to his termination, Defendants discouraged, restrained and attempted to dissuade Plaintiff from disclosing the information alleged in paragraphs 4, 11 and 12, by Defendant Frasier threatening to take Plaintiff's resignation if he persisted in informing Defendants of alleged behavior by a fellow deputy attorney," the complaint said.
With the litigation pending, Frasier would not comment on the specific allegations other than a short refutation.
"I can't comment on this because of the pending litigation other than to say I deny the allegations and look forward to defending this in a fair trial," Frasier said.
In a termination letter dated on June 29, Frasier cited several reasons for his decision to release Chartrey. Among them:
- "At least 20 criminal cases assigned to you were neglected for such a period of time that the statute of limitations on those cases has expired;
- "Your behavior in regards to (redacted) and (redacted) was not professional and in my judgement, has been detrimental to the collegiality within the office;
- "Your presentation to me of incorrect information as to the conduct of (redacted);
- "inappropriately made to court staff a comment that communicated you are not fully occupied or engaged with work tasks;
- "neglected in the (redacted) and (redacted) cases to ensure that the victims were afforded their rights to be present and heard at the sentencing proceedings in those cases;
- "inappropriately sent witnesses home and pulled from grand jury consideration the (redacted) cases."
Chartrey did not respond to multiple inquiries for comment.
Represented by Portland based firm Busse & Hunt, Chartrey's lawsuit seeks $650,000 in damages, $400,000 of which comes from emotional distress and $250,000 in economic losses.
Chartrey joined the Salem law office of Michael E. Knapp, P.C. in September as an associate attorney.
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(20) comments
t think it is funny how Frasier says that cases statute because Michael Chartrey did not get to them fast enough. Hey Frasier just so you know that won't hold water. You are the D.A. and if you felt he was not getting to the cases fast enough you should of re-assigned them to someone else. That is on you not him, but what can we expect of a Narcissist. Never takes responsibility for the failures in his office. people that work in the system need to see you for who you really are. My opinion
Thanks you tellitlikeitis for the correction on the recording law. I do feel like you that law enforcement uses the public as a meal ticket. Fraser and Zanni and many more have complete power over citizens. And yes I too have heard from INSIDE that Police Chief Blue in Coquille is suing Fraser. Yes it's true Officer Brennen was fired in Coquille because he wrote Fraser's wife a speeding ticket. He later sued and won his case for wrongful termination. Fraser needs to resign or be recalled.
Then I think as citizens we should start a recall effort for Frasier and a few others. I will research what it would take. I sooo wish I could file suit against the county just to show them I and others have had enough. But alas, it takes money that none of us have, because we have been fleeced. I think the county commissioners should take a pay cut instead of imposing new usage taxes or any other taxes on us, but that is a whole other can of worms.
Here is the deal peoples. The D.A., Coos County Corrections, Coos County Commissioners (more specifically Bob Main) and Most if not all Coos County Law enforcement have made Coos County a Victim County. They only get away with what they do because most are too scared to fight back. Big Fish In a Little Pond and they are not willing to give it up easily. They look at us citizens as Rats In A Cage and Meal Tickets. We have to start fighting back and let them know we have had enough.
howaboutit. Think about it. (No Pun Intended) They want you to think you have to inform the other person which protects them. How do you think Frasier and others have gotten away with what they have. They record us and then use it against us and take it out of context. I learned the hard way that you have to protect yourself when you speak to any of them.
How can a person find out if a suit has been filed against Fraser? I was told the Chief of Police in Coquille is also suing him? Is it true a few years ago Fraser got mad at a Coquille police officer (officer Brennan / spelling?) because he gave a speeding ticket to a member of Fraser's family resulting in the officer being fired because Fraser refused to prosecute any case with the officers name on the citation?.
For far to long voters have let elected officials do as they please in Coos County. Now think about this. Fraser is the top law enforcement person Coos. IF he is found liable on these accusations then we must assume there is much more we don't know about. DAs and sheriffs must be honest and trustworthy or the system is broken. Coos County needs persons in these positions you can trust. This is not Fraser's first time being sued by former employees. We have several suits with the jail too.
In Oregon you must tell the person your recording that "this conversation is being recorded"before you can proceed. As to who pays for Fraser's legal fees its the taxpayers that pay for it. Though he's technically a state elected official he still is under legal obligation from Coos County.One thing here nobody has noted. If true, and Fraser knew that a deputy DA was intoxicated and driving a county car it a criminal charge for aiding a crime.For covering it up it also another criminal charge.
You are incorrect about that howaboutit. Read this. Federal law permits recording telephone calls and in-person conversations with the consent of at least one of the parties. See 18 U.S.C. 2511(2)(d). This is called a "one-party consent" law. Under a one-party consent law, you can record a phone call or conversation so long as you are a party to the conversation.
It does make a difference if the call is from Oregon to another state, or from another state to Oregon.
howaboutit Oregon is a one party state. As long as you are part of the conversation and you consent it is legal.
Fraser certainly doesn't do us any good as DA of Coos money wise. Being this is a former assistant DA he probably has good evidence where Fraser did know these about things. It's not uncommon to have DAs break laws and hold back vital evidence (DISCOVERY) to defense attorneys in court because they feel they are not subject to LAWS WE ALL ABIDE BY. ITS ALL ABOUT CONVICTIONS NOT INNOCENT OR GUILTY.Remember Fraser is running for re election so don't expect any action fast.
Tellitlikeitis..You can still talk to him it says where he is now employed. Maybe everyone should come forward that know what Frasier has done that COULD POSSIBLY be illegal and testify on behalf of Mr. Chartrey. If you have been wronged you need to stand up for not just yourself but for everyone in this county that has to deal with the legal system here. You can't change what was done to you, but you can help prevent it from being done to someone else in the future.
Tired of the bull. I did just that. Sent an email to his current place of employment. I haven't heard back yet.
Those are some serious allegations by both sides. If justice was to really be implemented, the trial would be one where the loser forfeits their life and all their possessions to the winner. Have that be the way affairs are conducted and only the most serious cases will come to trial, thus sparing us spurious allegations. You won't be going j'accuse when it is your life on the line unless you know your case is rock solid!
In Oregon it is legal to record phone calls without the other person knowing. Just saying.
Everybody has to sue somebody. That's the American way. Lawyer v. Lawyer. One wonders where that might lead.
Ugh!
I am interested in knowing whether the tax payers of Coos County are going to be obligated to pay for Frasiers court costs? Another issue is the fact that as circumstances like this seems to imply; is' if and when this case is heard - where would it be heard because all of the Coos County judges would have to recluse themselves and secondly, won't all of the witnesses that are in the D.A.'s office be too scared to talk under the threat of possible reprisals?
Finally I knew it would catch up to Frasier sooner or later. Oh how I wish I could speak to MIchael Chartrey. It's too late for me to recover from what they did to me, but I hope he wins. It's no secret to anybody how justice really works in Coos County.
Yes!!!! It's about time somebody does what is right!!!!!!
I'm glad someone from the inside has stepped forward about the DA office. It's a mess down there with criminal activity and favoritism on a daily basis. The DA needs to be recalled. He hasn't been proven guilty on this charge yet but has has cost Coos County plenty of money on other suits. "Lets make a deal" will probably rear it ugly head in this case as others have. Coos County voters are passive when it comes to ousting someone for wrongdoing.
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