Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
After learning that Sweet Home Municipal Court Judge Larry Houchin was under investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice, the City Council decided not to renew his contract and to hire a new judge.
The council last month approved a raise for Houchin, but city officials did not sign the contract.
The Department of Justice is investigating Houchin in “relation to his actions as a judge,” Mayor Craig Fentiman told the council. The Department of Justice has declined to share details of the investigation with the city at this time.
“It appeared prudent not to proceed with the contract till all facts of the DOJ investigation are known publicly,” Fentiman said.
Prior to the council meeting, “the judge came in and cleared out his desk and turned in his keys,” City Manager Craig Martin said. The city could have chosen not to open the position and continue using pro tem judges until the end of the investigation.
The council voted 7-0 not to renew the contract, withdrawing its decision from August, and voted to post an opening for the position.
“Not a word,” Houchin said Friday when contacted by The New Era. “If someone says something that’s wrong, they’re going to end up in court because there’s been nothing substantiated about a false information claim. Got it? Thanks for calling.”
Stephanie Soden of the attorney general’s office confirmed that Houchin was the subject of an investigtion, but said the final report was not complete yet.
Present at the council meeting held on Sept. 12 were Fentiman, Bob McIntire, Jim Gourley, Tim McQueary, Dick Hill, Rich Rowley and Jim Bean.