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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Mercury / Politics Did We Sit on the Story?

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 2:01 PM

As Sam Adams’ sex scandal continues to play out at city hall, many other questions have emerged—one of which is, “Did the Mercury sit on this story instead of pushing it into publication?” Well, the answer is yes… and no.

As correctly reported in Nigel Jaquiss’ WW expose, the Mercury was the first to receive one of the original hot tips regarding Sam’s sins. Since this tip (and subsequent tips we received on the subject) fell under the banner of hearsay, we aggressively set out to see if any of these rumors held water—and have continued to do so ever since. The problem has always been substantiating these claims. We begged, we pleaded; none of our sources would agree to go on record with their claims. In short, our hands were tied. With a matter this serious, which could affect so many people’s lives and careers, I refused to publish unsubstantiated rumors. So in that respect, yes—we sat on the story, because it was the ethical thing to do.

Do I have any regrets about my decision? I mostly regret that when we confronted him with these claims, Sam Adams lied to our face—twice. I regret that he lied to then-Mercury reporter Amy J. Ruiz, and later embroiled her in his current shitstorm. (One could make the argument that she embroiled herself when she applied for a job with Adams before he was cleared of these rumors—and I’m sure someone will.) And I regret that Sam lied to all of us, and held his confession until after being sworn in—when it’s a lot harder to be kicked out on his lying ass.

So, on the other hand, no—we didn’t sit on the story. Nigel worked on this story for the same amount of time we did. The main difference is that he reached the finish line first. And I’m sincerely happy he… someone… anyone succeeded, because we deserve to live in a city where we’re not forced to question the veracity of every statement Sam makes from here on out.

As to the questions of whether intern Beau Breedlove was actually 18 at the time of Sam’s dalliance, and whether the mayor hired Amy in order to take her off the story (Hey, where’s my cushy government job, Sam? And Nigel might’ve wanted one too!), these are questions the Mercury will continue to diligently explore in the weeks to come. Stay with us, and we’ll stay on it.

 

Comments (18) RSS

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1
"Nigel worked on this story for the same amount of time we did. The main difference is that he reached the finish line first. And I’m sincerely happy he… someone… anyone succeeded, because we deserve to live in a city where we’re not forced to question the veracity of every statement Sam makes from here on out."

That last sentence doesn't make a bit of sense.
Posted by A cat on January 20, 2009 at 2:08 PM · Report
2
At least there's some responsible press in this town. : P The reporters in this conference are being vicious. Even Davis, who is apparently trying to distance himself from Amy's kid gloves, appears nice in comparison to most of them with his questions.
Posted by Will Radik on January 20, 2009 at 2:12 PM · Report
3
For clarification:

I told Adams these are hard times for journalists, and asked him if he would be employing any more of us soon, to which he responded "I think we're all full up."
Posted by Matt Davis on January 20, 2009 at 2:37 PM · Report
4
Thank you for clarifying so we know for a fact you are douche of an investigative reporter. I can't even imagine being in the room when you asked that question, it would have made me squirm out of embarrasement for you.
Posted by newsInQuotes on January 20, 2009 at 2:40 PM · Report
5
Adams is a blatant liar, so there's no reason to believe we should accept his word when he says the sex occurred only after the guy was 18. The problem to me is the lying, charges of homophobia that Adams sanctimoniously leveled, and the fact that he must have known the shitstorm that would ensue from this. He seems nonchalant and even flip about it. I hope he resigns.
Posted by Thats What You Always Say on January 20, 2009 at 2:41 PM · Report
6
The Merucry give someone a free pass because they're gay/lesbian/three-toed-sloth?

I'm shocked, shocked and dismayed that the very idea would be suggested, or refuted even before posed by another party.

You keep on keepin' on, Fourth Estate. You're what makes this country so great.
Posted by fahqueue on January 20, 2009 at 2:47 PM · Report
7
The question was posed. I posed it.

http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/Co…

Humpy's explanation is reasonable. At this point I don't know who to believe.
Posted by Guffman on January 20, 2009 at 3:02 PM · Report
8
Is there going to be a post on the press conference or what?
Posted by Blabby on January 20, 2009 at 3:06 PM · Report
9
waahhhhh. "He lied to our face," "his shitstorm" "our poor little Amy Ruiz is the victim!" (paraphrasing on that last one).

So now you're vehemently anti-Sam. Keep pretending to be real journalists, Mercury.
Posted by Jim-Bob2 on January 20, 2009 at 3:17 PM · Report
10
The press conference was a joke. Sam repeatedly claimed to finally be going public with this so he could save Beau from further embarassment. Nevermind the WW was going to press with it.

He also squirmed away from addressing his use of the same slimy tactics he accused Bob Ball of using, and didn't feel the slightest bit of shame for attempting to ruin Bob.

What a hypocrite.
Posted by Euphonius on January 20, 2009 at 3:26 PM · Report
11
Sounds like a witch hunt to me.
Posted by Corina on January 20, 2009 at 3:34 PM · Report
12
Well, it seems like the Portland Mercury (or at least its beat reporters) did more than sit on the story.

In September of 2007, Scott Moore posted a piece in the Mercury named "The Scandal That Wasn't There: Sam Adams, Bob Ball, and the Gay Witch Hunt". This piece accused the Willamette Week of running a rumor in an apparent grasp at former Pulitzer glory, Bob Ball of pushing a scandal for his political gain, and positioned Adams as a victim of a witch hunt because of his sexual orientation. The Mercury's reporting was a strong influence in stifling any further investigation, and consequently paving the way for Adams to be elected.

Original Story:
http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/Co…
Posted by Evidently_Another_Philistine on January 20, 2009 at 4:50 PM · Report
13
The Merc didn't do a very good job with a story as crucial as this. Seeing Amy Ruiz in his office is just creppy.
Posted by Mizzzzzzz on January 20, 2009 at 5:04 PM · Report
14
I can see how you would be pissed that he lied to you. I can also recognize that the real problem here is, once again, a politician screwing an intern. Nevertheless, consenting adults (presuming that's what they are) have the freedom to make bad decisions in their personal lives. Does this really rise to the level of having someone removed from office? Would it have precluded him taking office? I'm thinking no.

People who work together, screw together.
Posted by Suburban Porn King on January 20, 2009 at 5:15 PM · Report
15
Seriously. Your paper is now a slimerag, and I was a fan before. I would love to see you put the kind of time you're talking about into real news instead of this kind of thing going forward.
Posted by I'm with Sam on January 20, 2009 at 5:36 PM · Report
16
"...we deserve to live in a city where we’re not forced to question the veracity of every statement Sam makes from here on out."

Right. Because now that we know he lied to us, he'll never do it again. Wait, what?
Posted by Dave on January 20, 2009 at 9:34 PM · Report
17
Addressed in the first comment, Dave.
Posted by A cat on January 20, 2009 at 10:32 PM · Report
18
I just think it's funny that all you idiots don't realize that every politician on this planet lies his ass off multiple times every day. It must be nice living under rocks.
Posted by Portland Concern Trolls on January 21, 2009 at 8:50 AM · Report

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