23-07-2025
Former mayoral candidate sues St. Helens for unreleased report with ‘collusion' allegations
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A former mayoral candidate is suing the City of St. Helens over unreleased records as demonstrators gathered outside City Hall on Tuesday in a call for transparency.
The lawsuit claims the city is blocking the release of records that could implicate its mayor and ex-police chief. Mayor Jennifer Massey denies these claims, but the city has yet to confirm whether these records exist.
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Attorney Steve Toschi, a former St. Helens mayoral candidate, said it's time to 'end the coverup and appoint a special prosecutor.'
Toschi is suing the city for withholding portions of an investigative report into retired Police Chief Brian Greenway.
'The city just is not releasing the records, and there are records to be released,' Toschi said.
, 'It is in the public's interest to know whether its mayor has committed crimes in order to get elected: which may suggest that she can, will, and does take actions which harm the public interests for her personal benefit, and where she and others within and associated with the St. Helens government draw their ethical lines.'
While redacted portions of the report were made public in February, the complaint argues that a second part was not released, including at the time of her candidacy.
'We had an unprecedented situation with the 24-hour patrol ending, and there's significant information indicating that Ms. Massey and ex-Chief Greenway conspired to do that, which is a criminal act.'
The unreleased report was first mentioned in former acting Police Chief Joseph Hogue's whistleblower lawsuit against the city. In March, Hogue claimed he was retaliated against after reporting an alleged scheme between his boss and Massey to withhold 24-hour police coverage.
'People were afraid. We thought that we were in danger in this town. And it turns out the whole thing was a political ploy,' Toschi said. 'It was all optics, and there's significant evidence, and they withheld it all.'
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Mayor Massey denies the claims, and shared the following statement with KOIN 6 News:
'I firmly deny the false and misleading claims that have been circulated. The City's selection of a new police chief followed a fair and lawful process, facilitated by our legal counsel. Allegations of criminal conduct are entirely unsubstantiated.
'I remain committed to transparency, ethical leadership, and serving the people of St. Helens with integrity. Rumors, accusations, and emotion are not facts, this is precisely why due process is essential. Since taking office, I have been the target of continuous political attacks by a small group, including one of my former opponents, who continue to push baseless claims without evidence.
'Those spreading these accusations count on silence to give them weight, but silence is not proof. I sincerely thank those who continue to support me and my dedication to our citizens and the future of St. Helens.'
Meanwhile, Toschi is still pushing to have an independent prosecutor assigned.
'The political ploy is saying, 'Oh look, he's sour grapes.' That's wrong,' he said. 'This is about something that was very troubling during the election where crimes may have been committed.'
Neither the city nor the district attorney's office responded to KOIN 6 News' repeated requests for comment.
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