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It began as a gathering of board members from an elite Portland club. It ended with the club's president in handcuffs.
On the evening of Sept. 29, John Bradley, the CEO of R&H Construction, invited fellow Arlington Club board members to his West Hills home for a small party to thank retiring members of the board.
"It was a social occasion to show appreciation for people who had served on the board," says Judith Clark, one of those outgoing board members.
Bradley, 60, is president of the board. From its location on Southwest Salmon Street in the South Park Blocks, the Arlington Club has served as the citadel of Portland business leaders for 148 years.
R&H Construction is among the city's largest contractors, employing 250 people.
Under Bradley's leadership, R&H has built many recognizable Portland buildings, including headquarters for Ziba Design and Keen Shoes, and recently completed a six-story mixed-use project covering a city block in South Waterfront.
After Bradley's guests left his home Sept. 29, however, the evening soured. John Bradley's wife, Kim, called 911.
Officer Anthony Zanetti of the Portland Police Bureau responded to the call. Zanetti arrested Bradley, who was charged with three misdemeanors: fourth-degree assault, menacing and harassment.
Zanetti's police report was the basis for a probable cause affidavit filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Sept. 30. In it, Zanetti said he arrived to witness an argument.
"The defendant [Bradley] was waving his hands and yelling at Ms. Bradley and was overheard saying, 'I come home and you embarrass me.'"
Bradley let Zanetti into the house, and the officer wrote that he "found Ms. Bradley crouched on the floor in the kitchen, holding her head and crying hysterically. There was a chair on its side next to her."
Kim Bradley then told Zanetti her version of events.
"Ms. Bradley explained that the defendant was hosting a group of people at their home earlier in the evening, and since she was not dressed nicely, had to stay upstairs during the gathering," the affidavit says. "When the people left the home, the defendant became angry that Ms. Bradley did not come downstairs to say goodbye to them."
That led to an argument and a discussion of John Bradley's use of alcohol. "Ms. Bradley said their argument escalated, and evolved into a discussion about the defendant's drinking."
That discussion soon turned physical, Kim Bradley told Zanetti.
"[Bradley] then threw a chair at Ms. Bradley but did not strike her," the affidavit says Kim Bradley told Zanetti. "Ms. Bradley further elaborated that earlier in the evening, the defendant had thrown her to the ground upstairs. This caused a pain to her arm. She further elaborated that the defendant has left bruises before and choked her, but he has never thrown her to the ground like he did on this occasion."
Bradley has no prior criminal record, according to Portland police.
The alleged domestic violence came at a time when Bradley's professional life was reaching a peak.
In addition to being voted president of the Arlington Club board, he was named "CEO of the Year" in the real estate/development sector in January by the Portland Business Journal.
Bradley told the Business Journal in a January interview he was ready to slow down and turn over control of R&H Construction, where he became president in 1983 and CEO in 2004.
"I am looking forward to playing second string hopefully in the next three years," Bradley told the newspaper.
WW was unable to reach the Arlington Club board members who attended the Sept. 29 party. Michael Dotten, an outgoing member of the board, who was not at the event, says he was unaware of the alleged domestic violence.
"That's extraordinarily surprising," Dotten says of the incident.
Bradley declined to comment.
Peter Richter, a longtime friend of Bradley's, says Bradley is a recovering alcoholic. "As a result of his brother's tragic suicide this summer and other personal pressures," Richter tells WW via email, "he had a relapse which led to an incident within his family which he deeply regrets."
Bradley pleaded not guilty to all charges.
He was excused from a court appearance Oct. 30, records show, because he was "in in-patient treatment."
Bradley is due in court Dec. 3, when he is expected to change his plea.
On the night of the incident, according to Zanetti's account, Bradley didn't see the arrest as being his fault.
"Look what you did, Kim," Bradley said to his wife, according to the affidavit. "I'm in handcuffs now."
Willamette Week