PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland mayoral candidate Jefferson Smith apologized to his Facebook followers for the way he handled a revelation that he struck an 18-year-old woman in the face when he was student at the University of Oregon.
Smith was charged with misdemeanor assault in the 1993 incident, but it was dropped when he paid the medical bills and did community service.
Smith wrote that he should have brought the issue up long ago, but was stopped by cowardice and his concern that he would blindside the woman by discussing it publicly.
Smith apologized to the woman for hitting her and for trying to visit before a recent press conference.
He wrote that he wanted to alert her that the story would be public, but he now realizes it was a bad idea.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.