Curry County, OR. — Official Release: In light of significant public interest surrounding recent allegations of misconduct against Curry County Counsel and Director of Operations, Ted Fitzgerald, the Curry County Board of Commissioners is prepared to share with the public that an independent investigation into the allegations has been completed.
On April 8, 2025, the Curry County Board of Commissioners received a tort claim notice from an attorney representing a Curry County elected official. Upon review of this tort claim notice, there were serious allegations of gender discrimination, harassment, and retaliation made against the County Counsel and Director of Operations, Ted Fitzgerald, that warranted an immediate investigation. We appointed and retained outside counsel to serve as Assistant County Counsel, in part to keep Mr. Fitzgerald screened from all matters relating to the elected official who submitted the complaint, and directed Assistant County Counsel to identify and retain an experienced third-party investigation firm to review all the evidence provided by both parties and conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations. This neutral and independent investigation was commissioned to ensure objectivity, transparency, and fairness in evaluating the allegations brought forward.
On September 16, 2025, the Curry County Board of Commissioners received the findings and results of the independent investigation, following a thorough process — including numerous interviews, a detailed review of over 400 pages of documentary evidence, and a thorough assessment of witness testimony. The independent investigator concluded that the allegations were not substantiated by the evidence.
The investigator determined that there was no evidence of gender discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, finding that the county elected official’s allegations and testimony were inconsistent with the facts, lacked corroboration, and omitted material evidence. The investigator concluded that the county elected official’s “ability to fully and accurately narrate events impaired.”
The Board of Commissioners is gratified the independent investigation has come to a conclusion, which brings closure to the allegations brought against Mr. Fitzgerald and also affirms the effectiveness of Curry County’s approach to maintaining a fair, respectful, and inclusive workplace for all. From a community perspective, the results of the investigation reinforce the importance of relying on facts, evidence, and due process rather than rushing to judgments based on incomplete or impaired accounts.
We, the Board of Commissioners, are dedicated to a professional and respectful workplace environment. We remain committed to transparency in addressing concerns and to protecting the integrity of those who serve Curry County. Moving forward, our focus will continue to be on following policies and procedures, following federal and Oregon Law, building trust, fostering accountability and transparency, and working together to serve the best interests of our community.
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