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Multnomah County Democrats Will Hold VIP Party at Terry Bean's Home

Fundraiser is scheduled nine days after Bean's trial begins

Prominent Portland real-estate investor and gay-rights pioneer Terry Bean goes on trial next month in Lane County on felony charges of having sex with a then-15-year-old boy.

Yet despite Bean's legal troubles, the Democratic Party of Multnomah County is embracing him. On Aug. 13, the party accepted a $5,000 donation from Bean. That's the largest political donation he's made to an Oregon candidate or campaign since at least 2006.

The Multnomah County Democrats are also holding a golf tournament next month to honor "Hero of the Year" Bill Dickey, a longtime party stalwart and the owner of Morel Ink, a printing company that produces mail for Democratic candidates and causes. "The MultDems and Basic Rights Oregon have joined forces to honor a man who truly personifies all that is good," reads the invitation to the event.

And the official VIP party? It's Sept. 10 at Bean's house—nine days after his sex-crimes trial is scheduled to begin.

Multnomah County Dems spokeswoman Sue Hagmeier says the party is comfortable accepting Bean's money and hospitality. "He's a friend of the party," Hagmeier says. "He's been accused of something that is a lurid crime, but he's only been accused, not convicted. If he were convicted, we'd take another look."

WWeek 2015

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