OSP admin arrested for forgery
A Sublimity woman is facing numerous charges after allegedly altering public records while working as an audit specialist for Oregon State Police (OSP).
Leah Brooks Bernards, 44, was charged by secret indictment Jan. 17 in Marion County Circuit Court with 20 separate criminal counts for alleged forgeries occurring Jan. 26, 2023. She was booked and released from the Marion County Jail Jan. 24 and is due back in court May 14 for a status check hearing.
According to the indictment, Bernards allegedly altered records submitted to OSP by other state agencies. She allegedly used the login credentials of employees from those agencies to conceal her activities. Court records did not describe a potential motive except to state Bernards allegedly acted “with intent to injure and defraud” and “to obtain a benefit.”
She is facing eight counts of first-degree forgery and four counts each of ID theft, tampering with public records and first-degree official misconduct. If convicted, Bernards faces up to five years in prison and a $125,000 fine on the highest counts.
Whistleblower wins suit
An Aumsville woman has won a whistleblower suit against her former employer for being wrongfully fired after she reported a manager for alleged timecard fraud. On March 24, Marion County Circuit Court Judge Audrey Broyles awarded $364,424 to Maria Weaver in a judgment against former employer Western Pallet, Inc., and owner Jim Bishop of Wilsonville.
Weaver filed suit Oct. 7, 2024, and said she was wrongfully fired in October of 2023 by her manager after reporting the manager to Bishop for allegedly logging fraudulent work hours. Bishop was served with notice of the suit Dec. 6, 2024, but did not respond within the required 30 days. Broyles found him in default Jan. 28 and later awarded full damages.
Bishop filed a response March 18 claiming Weaver was fired due to inadequate work performance. He asked for a reversal of the Jan. 28 ruling, claiming he was never served. Broyles denied the request. On April 2, Weaver also asked the court for reimbursement of $22,569 in attorneys fees and court costs.
Arrest for alleged drug sales
Authorities are seeking hard time for a Stayton man recently arrested for alleged drug distribution. Anthony “Tony” Delose Adams Jr., 56, was charged March 17 in Marion County Circuit Court with delivery of methamphetamine and delivery of cocaine.
According to the indictment, Adams allegedly sold “substantial quantities” of the drugs on Feb. 19, including more than 100 grams of methamphetamine and more than 10 grams of cocaine. He was arrested April 9 and was allegedly found in possession of more than 10 grams of cocaine, resulting in an additional possession charge in a separate case. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison on his highest counts. According to court records, Adams has been charged in 47 separate criminal cases in Oregon since 1986.
