A former Oregon county Democrat commissioner and fugitive may have fled the country with her 9-year-old son after allegedly stealing $30,000, according to state officials. Former Clackamas County Commissioner Melissa Fireside faces multiple felony charges, including theft, forgery, and computer crime. The Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) said in an Oct. 31 release that Fireside violated her conditional release terms and may have escaped the United States.
Prosecutors allege that in March 2025, Fireside stole $30,000 from her mother’s boyfriend, a resident of an assisted living facility. During one visit, she allegedly gained access to his bank account and helped him reset online information before transferring $29,000 to repay a personal loan from a state representative and another $1,000 to her own account.
Authorities began investigating after the victim’s daughter noticed suspicious bank activity. Court filings show that Fireside’s former partner contacted the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office last week, reporting that their son was withdrawn from school and that Fireside “apparently has fled the country.”
The Oregon DOJ believes Fireside used a fake ID to enter Mexico and later booked a flight from Mexico to Amsterdam. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield stated, “Our top concern right now is the safety and well-being of this child. 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’s trial was set for December 2, but prosecutors now suspect the Democrat fugitive is evading justice abroad.
