Neil Goldschmidt, former Oregon governor who sexually abused teenagers, has died at the age of 83

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Neil Goldschmidt, the former Oregon governor whose record in federal, state and local offices later fell from grace when it was revealed that he had repeatedly sexually abused a young girl beginning in the 1970s, has died. He was 83.

The Oregonian/OregonLive was the first to report on it He died of heart failure on Wednesday. His family confirmed his death to KOIN 6 News in a statement.

Goldschmidt served as mayor of Portland from 1973 to 1979, after serving as city commissioner since 1970. During this time, the city changed. During his time as mayor, he also began raping a 14-year-old girl, which he later In 2004, in a letter in the Oregonian, it was made public as Willamette Week prepares to publish its exposé.

In 1979, he was appointed U.S. Secretary of Transportation under President Jimmy Carter’s administration. He remained in office until the end of Carter’s presidency. In 1985, he returned to politics to run for governor. He succeeded Republican Governor Vic Atiyeh after winning the gubernatorial election in 1986. He left office in 1991.

In a statement to KOIN 6 News, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said: “Neil Goldschmidt’s abuse of a young girl destroyed her life, a horrific act that should render any other discussion about his political career moot. The best response to this news would be to donate to organizations dedicated to preventing sexual abuse, such as the Oregon Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse.“

In a statement to KOIN 6 News, Goldschmidt’s family said, “Neil was a strong personality and the patriarch of our large blended family. Although he struggled with many health issues for years, he actively discussed school, business, politics and wine with family and friends until his passing. We will greatly miss his presence in our lives and hope that those who mourn his loss can remember the significant positive contributions he made to our community.”

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story continues to develop.