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Portland mayor admits he's behind on house payment
By Joseph B. Frazier, Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, June 17, 2009 | 1 comment(s)
PORTLAND - As if he needed it, more bad news surfaced Tuesday for Portland Mayor Sam Adams.
He acknowledged being behind in mortgage payments. County records show default notices filed on two North Portland homes he owns including his residence. Adams blames mounting legal bills tied to a state investigation into a sexual relationship he initially lied about.
The mortgages for both homes were registered with Multnomah County in December 2004. Notices of default filed with the county by Wells Fargo Bank indicate no payments made on either since Feb. 1. Monthly payments are $1,023.34 on one house and $959.81 on the one next door. He paid $130,000 for the house he lives in and owes about $122,000 on it.
Adams makes $118,000 a year as mayor, and recently turned down a $6,000 raise after the budget for his office was trimmed by 5 percent.
Adams' mortgage problem was first reported by the Portland Mercury.
The Multnomah County Public Affairs Office said the notices of default are early steps in the foreclosure process. If the borrower "addresses outstanding issues with the lender," the lender files paperwork nullifying the default notices.
Failing that, the houses could be sold at public auction in October. Adams said he will catch up with the payments and that he considers the matter a private one.
Adams, a former city commissioner, was easily elected in May 2008, making Portland the largest American city with an openly gay mayor.
Shortly after taking office in January, Adams admitted lying about a 2005 sexual relationship with a male legislative page, Beau Breedlove. He later apologized to the city.
Oregon Attorney General John Kroger opened an investigation into whether Breedlove was of the legal age of 18 at the time, but has not said when he will release his conclusions.
Some Portlanders who claim they aren't bothered by Adams' orientation, which was known, but rather by his lie about the relationship with Breedlove, have begun a recall effort. Under state law they cannot file paperwork until July 1, when Adams will have been in office six months.
They then will have 90 days to get the 32,183 valid signatures on recall petitions needed to take it to a vote.
Adams drew additional negative attention in May, when he caused a three-car accident in North Portland. One witness said Adams smelled of alcohol, but others and investigating police officers said he did not. Adams called claims that he had been drinking "absurd," and no alcohol-related charges were filed.
He acknowledged being behind in mortgage payments. County records show default notices filed on two North Portland homes he owns including his residence. Adams blames mounting legal bills tied to a state investigation into a sexual relationship he initially lied about.
The mortgages for both homes were registered with Multnomah County in December 2004. Notices of default filed with the county by Wells Fargo Bank indicate no payments made on either since Feb. 1. Monthly payments are $1,023.34 on one house and $959.81 on the one next door. He paid $130,000 for the house he lives in and owes about $122,000 on it.
Adams makes $118,000 a year as mayor, and recently turned down a $6,000 raise after the budget for his office was trimmed by 5 percent.
Adams' mortgage problem was first reported by the Portland Mercury.
The Multnomah County Public Affairs Office said the notices of default are early steps in the foreclosure process. If the borrower "addresses outstanding issues with the lender," the lender files paperwork nullifying the default notices.
Failing that, the houses could be sold at public auction in October. Adams said he will catch up with the payments and that he considers the matter a private one.
Adams, a former city commissioner, was easily elected in May 2008, making Portland the largest American city with an openly gay mayor.
Shortly after taking office in January, Adams admitted lying about a 2005 sexual relationship with a male legislative page, Beau Breedlove. He later apologized to the city.
Oregon Attorney General John Kroger opened an investigation into whether Breedlove was of the legal age of 18 at the time, but has not said when he will release his conclusions.
Some Portlanders who claim they aren't bothered by Adams' orientation, which was known, but rather by his lie about the relationship with Breedlove, have begun a recall effort. Under state law they cannot file paperwork until July 1, when Adams will have been in office six months.
They then will have 90 days to get the 32,183 valid signatures on recall petitions needed to take it to a vote.
Adams drew additional negative attention in May, when he caused a three-car accident in North Portland. One witness said Adams smelled of alcohol, but others and investigating police officers said he did not. Adams called claims that he had been drinking "absurd," and no alcohol-related charges were filed.
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