Oregon Lawmakers Push for Compensation of Wrongfully Accused Legislative Aide

Bipartisan duo introduce measure to create task force to determine compensation for Robert Parker Jr., who was cleared of misconduct allegations

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A bipartisan group of Oregon lawmakers, including Reps. Ed Diehl and Travis Nelson, are pushing for legislation to compensate Robert Parker Jr., a former legislative aide who was wrongfully accused of financial impropriety in the 1980s. Parker, an attorney, was cleared of any ethics violations or criminal wrongdoing, but his career was derailed by the allegations. The lawmakers are introducing a measure to create a task force that would report to the legislature on how much to compensate Parker and others who have suffered damages from discriminatory government actions.

Why it matters

This case highlights Oregon's history of racial discrimination and the long-lasting impact it can have on individuals' careers and livelihoods. The bipartisan effort to compensate Parker reflects a growing recognition of the need to address past wrongs, even decades later.

The details

In the 1980s, Parker was working as a committee administrator for the Senate Business, Housing and Finance Committee, which was chaired by then-Sen. Jim Hill. While Parker was working on legislation empowering local gas dealers over the objections of powerful oil companies, opponents allegedly made accusations of unethical and illegal behavior against him. Parker was cleared by three separate grand juries, but the allegations led to his resignation and prevented him from being admitted to the Oregon bar for practicing law. Despite lawsuits seeking redress, Parker's cases stalled in the courts due to statute of limitations rules.

  • In 1987, Parker accepted an offer from Sen. Jim Hill to work as a committee administrator.
  • That same year, Parker was working on legislation that faced opposition from powerful oil companies.
  • In 2021, the Oregon Legislature passed a resolution apologizing to Parker and acknowledging the 'racially charged extraneous material' in the ethics investigation against him.
  • In December 2021, the Oregon Supreme Court reversed the Oregon State Bar's decision to deny Parker's admission to practice law in the state.

The players

Robert Parker Jr.

A former legislative aide in Oregon who was wrongfully accused of financial impropriety in the 1980s. Parker, an attorney, was cleared of any ethics violations or criminal wrongdoing, but his career was derailed by the allegations.

Ed Diehl

A Republican state representative from Scio, Oregon, who is co-sponsoring the legislation to compensate Parker.

Travis Nelson

A Democratic state representative from Portland, Oregon, who is co-sponsoring the legislation to compensate Parker.

Jim Hill

A former Democratic state senator from Salem, Oregon, who hired Parker as a committee administrator in 1987.

Lew Frederick

A Democratic state senator from Portland, Oregon, who spearheaded the 2021 Senate resolution apologizing to Parker.

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What they’re saying

“The state of Oregon wronged Bob Parker. He was framed, and for decades, he was denied the type of income that a lawyer of his caliber could have earned.”

— Travis Nelson, State Representative (lakeoswegoreview.com)

“It isn't a grievance commission. It's not an ideological exercise. It's about constitutional accountability. And when government power causes measurable harm, and when this body formally acknowledges that harm, justice requires more than words, it requires action.”

— Ed Diehl, State Representative (lakeoswegoreview.com)

“I had to go through a lot, internalize a lot, and take care of a family without food stamps, welfare, unemployment or scams. I didn't want to be a criminal. I didn't want to be a mastermind, I didn't want to be someone outside of the parameters of the law.”

— Robert Parker Jr. (lakeoswegoreview.com)

What’s next

The compensation bill is currently parked in the House Rules Committee, which is not limited by traditional committee deadlines as the legislature approaches the end of this year's short session. House Speaker Julie Fahey could introduce a bill in the committee that 'reflects the same intent and corrects the drafting concerns'.

The takeaway

This case highlights Oregon's history of racial discrimination and the need to address past wrongs, even decades later. The bipartisan effort to compensate Parker reflects a growing recognition that justice requires more than just words, but also tangible action to right the wrongs of the past.