Ex-Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp Ordered to Pay OPB $90K in Legal Fees

A former sheriff in Deschutes County, Oregon, who faced allegations of dishonesty, has been ordered to pay approximately $90,000 in legal fees to the public media organization OPB. This ruling concludes a legal battle stemming from a lawsuit filed by the former sheriff during the 2024 election cycle.

The Legal Dispute

Kent van der Kamp initiated the lawsuit against Deschutes County, OPB, and reporter Emily Cureton Cook while he was a candidate for sheriff. He initially sought a restraining order to prevent the release of records pertaining to his past employment as a reserve officer in La Mesa, California, and to block OPB from reporting on those records. However, van der Kamp dropped the lawsuit after documents were inadvertently released by his own legal team.

Did You Know? The records van der Kamp attempted to conceal detailed “serious incidents of misconduct” cited by La Mesa police officials.

Investigation and Resignation

The records, first reported by OPB, ultimately played a role in a state investigation. The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training investigation determined that van der Kamp had made false statements to Oregon officials regarding his termination as a reserve police officer in La Mesa, California. He was also found to have been dishonest under oath about his educational background.

Following the investigation, van der Kamp resigned as sheriff in July, prior to a vote by a police certification board to revoke his law enforcement certification.

The Court’s Decision

Deschutes County Circuit Court Pro Tem Judge Dan Bunch described the lawsuit as “unreasonable and utterly pointless,” but acknowledged its significant implications. Judge Bunch stated the case extended beyond financial concerns, touching upon fundamental principles of government. He further noted that it was van der Kamp’s “speaking inconsistently, perhaps dishonestly,” that initiated the legal proceedings.

Expert Insight: This case underscores the potential costs – both financial and reputational – associated with attempts to suppress public information, particularly for public officials. The court’s emphasis on the importance of transparency highlights the critical role of a free press in a democratic society.

The awarded attorney fees cover OPB’s costs for outside legal representation, totaling roughly $90,000. OPB initially requested additional funds to cover in-house counsel expenses, but the court limited the award to outside representation costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What prompted the lawsuit?

Kent van der Kamp sued to prevent the release of records detailing his past employment as a reserve officer in La Mesa, California, and to stop OPB from reporting on those records.

What did the investigation reveal?

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training investigation found that van der Kamp lied about being fired as a reserve police officer in La Mesa, California, and was dishonest under oath about his college degrees.

What was the outcome of the legal battle?

The court ordered Kent van der Kamp to pay approximately $90,000 in OPB’s legal fees.

What implications might this case have for future attempts to limit public access to information about candidates or public officials?