Copyright New York Post
An Oregon Democratic politician is now an international fugitive from justice after fleeing the country with her young son when she was charged with bilking an elderly man out of $30,000, authorities said. Democrat Melissa Fireside, an ex-Clackamas County commissioner, crossed the border into Mexico on a fake passport and booked a ticket for Austria after going on the run with her 9-year-old son, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said Friday. “Our top concern right now is the safety and well-being of this child,” Rayfield said. “We are working closely with law enforcement partners here and at the federal level to locate Ms. Fireside and ensure she is held accountable under Oregon law.” Fireside was free on conditional release while facing charges that she stole from her mom’s 83-year-old boyfriend when she disappeared, The Oregonian reported. “No one should be able to evade justice by crossing a border,” he added. Fireside was charged in March with aggravated theft, forgery and other crimes for allegedly ripping off retired Safeway employee Arthur Petrone, her mom’s beau, by applying for a loan using his name. Petrone, who died in August, lived on his pension and Social Security payments. Fireside pleaded not guilty at her arraignment and was allowed to remain free on the condition that she not leave the state and show up for court hearings. However, the state justice department on Friday filed a motion to revoke Fireside’s bail after investigators determined that she wasn’t living at her Lexington, Oregon, home — a violation of the terms of her release, the attorney general said. Prosecutors said Fireside is believed to have used a fake ID and an Austrian passport to get across the border. Her travel records indicates she’s booked a flight from Mexico to Austria, the Oregonian said. Authorities said it is unclear how she obtained an Austrian passport. Fireside was elected to office last year and served just two months on the job before she resigned in after being hit with the theft charges. She had been expected to go on trial in December. Additional reporting by Emily Crane
