Johnson now facing criticism for “abuse of legislative immunity” and refusing to answer additional questions
[Portland, OR] This week, at least two news reports detailed how Betsy Johnson tried to “shirk responsibility” after she rear-ended another driver in 2013 and then tried to “pass the costs of the crash on to taxpayers” – revelations that have already sparked criticism for hypocrisy and raised more questions that Johnson is so far refusing to answer.
As Willamette Week first reported, Johnson’s “effort to exempt herself may prove embarrassing for a candidate who has made accountability and transparency bywords of her gubernatorial campaign.”
“It’s especially noteworthy that her lawyers tried to pass the costs of the crash on to taxpayers. As a co-chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Ways and Means, Sen. Johnson built her reputation on holding agencies and other elected officials to account for the way they spent tax dollars….But in the case of Gallentine’s lawsuit, Johnson’s attorneys made the case for the state covering the damages.”
The Oregonian further revealed that the driver who Johnson rear-ended said she “signed an agreement” not to disparage Johnson, and that Johnson is refusing to answer any questions about the incident.
“Among the questions Johnson would not answer: Why did she believe the state of Oregon and taxpayers should take sole responsibility for her car crash? Was Johnson aware of her lawyers’ invocation of legislative immunity to defend against the $260,000 personal injury lawsuit? Did Johnson take any actions following the crash that demonstrated personal responsibility or accountability?”
In response, Tina Kotek issued a statement calling for Johnson to apologize to Ms. Gallentine and pointing out that Johnson’s “weaponizing of legislative immunity to bully an Oregonian is truly shocking.” You can read her full statement in the Willamette Week: Democratic Rival Also Criticizes Betsy Johnson Over Car Crash Defense
These stories raise additional questions that the public deserves answers to, including:
- Does Johnson still stand by the argument that Oregon taxpayers should have paid for the costs resulting from her car crash?
- Will Johnson release the non-disparagement agreement so that the driver she rear-ended can talk frankly to the public?
- Will Johnson share how many other non-disparagement agreements she – or lawyers working on her behalf – has bound people to?