Former Clackamas County Commissioner May Have Fled Country Ahead Theft Trial

Melissa Fireside, former Clackamas County commissioner, is accused of stealing over $30,000 from her mother's 83-year-old boyfriend and faces multiple felony charges including theft, forgery, and computer crimes. The Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) believes she may have fled the country with her 9-year-old son, violating her conditional release which required her to stay in Oregon. Despite having full custody, there is a legal parenting agreement with her former partner, who reported that Fireside withdrew their son from school and apparently fled. Authorities suspect she may have used a fake ID and crossed into Mexico before making a flight reservation from Mexico to Amsterdam. The DOJ has filed a motion to revoke her conditional release and is working with law enforcement at state and federal levels to locate her and ensure she is held accountable. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield emphasized that the child's safety is the highest priority and highlighted the challenges of extradition if Fireside is found abroad.