SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Attorney General John Kroger has decided not to pursue charges against John Minnis, the former state agency chief who resigned last month after being accused of sexually harassing a female employee.
On Tuesday, the attorney general’s office released documents in which the woman — whose identity wasn’t released — said Minnis had harassed her for more than a year while he was director of the agency that trains and certifies police officers.
Kroger’s office said there wasn’t enough evidence to prove Minnis had committed a crime. Minnis, a former legislator, voluntarily surrendered his police certification on Monday.
“It is our opinion that we cannot prove Mr. Minnis committed any criminal acts as the director of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training in regards to his personal relationship with a particular employee under his supervision,” said Sean Riddell, chief counsel of the department’s Criminal Justice Division.
In interviews with state investigators, the woman described workplace harassment in which Minnis allegedly put his hands on her, tried to kiss her and told her he loved her.
That behavior also occurred when they attended out-of-town conferences, she told investigators.
Calls to Minnis on Tuesday night were not returned.
In his interviews with investigators, he acknowledged that he flirted and sexually touched the woman, but said he believed it was a mutual flirtation.
Minnis was placed on administrative leave Nov. 23 and then was asked by the governor to resign immediately the following day.
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