SEXUAL HARASSEMENT AT CITY HALL
A PERSONAL STATEMENT FROM CEVERO GONZALEZ

When I agreed to work for Sam in July of 2008, as his Executive Assistant, he was still a City
Commissioner but expected to win election to Mayor of the City of Portland. Truth be told, I initially
turned down the job because I was worried the position might consume too much of my time and
energy. However, when Sam later personally called and asked me to reconsider my decision, showering
me with kind words and praise and offering promises of advancement, I agreed to join his team.
The job started simply enough.
My first assignment was to prepare a travel itinerary and briefing book for an upcoming trade mission.
While working to complete the task, Sam called me into his office to ask for a favor; he wanted me to
prepare a secret profile to be added to his briefing book that included locations of gay clubs, bathhouses
and gay bars that he could visit while traveling abroad.
I thought the request was odd but I prepared the secret profile as directed and included a red unmarked
folder in the back of Sam's briefing book prior to his departure. I actually didn't give anymore thought
to the "favor" until a few days later, when I picked Sam up from the airport.
One of my duties included transporting Sam to and from the airport for work-related travel. In
preparation for this task, I was given instructions regarding what I should say and do upon his arrival.
For example, I was only allowed to welcome Sam back to Portland with a quick greeting. Then, I was to
ask if he wanted to stop for a beverage or a bite to eat. With those pleasantries out of the way I was
instructed to remain silent until spoken to in order to allow Sam time to re-acclimate after his long
flight. Additionally, the temperature in my vehicle always had to be in the low-60's, the radio had to be
off, and I wasn't allowed to remind Sam to put on his seatbelt.
When I arrived at the airport, Sam loaded his luggage into my vehicle and then entered on the
passenger side. As instructed, I offered a quick hello but otherwise remained quiet until spoken to. Sam
began our drive to his home by making a few calls on his cell phone then, after hanging up, he started
asking me a series of strange questions.
His first inquiry? "When was the last time you got laid?"
When I demurred, he persisted: "Come on. What type of guys do you like? Do you like 'em cut or
uncut?" Asking me the last question while looking directly at my crotch. I tried changing the subject to
work-related topics but Sam would have none of it. "Tell me. Are you a top or a bottom?" Embarrassed
by his questioning, and a bit taken aback, I responded as generally as possible; fearful of making him
angry but also unwilling to divulge personal information about my private life to my boss.
His response to my nondescript disclosures? "Don't be so uptight!" Saying this last sentence as he
lightly grabbed at his crotch.
Following his impromptu interrogation, Sam then proceeded to share two things: (1) how helpful the
secret profile I provided had been, with a request that I include such profiles in all future travel
itineraries, and (2) details of his sexual exploits that he alleged resulted from the secret information.

Personal Statement: Cevero Gonzalez - Page 1

 When I returned to the office later the same day I informed my immediate supervisor, Tom Miller, thenChief of Staff, of the encounter with Sam. Unfortunately, instead of offering to address my unease or in
some way intervene on my behalf, I was told the behavior I was reporting was just part of Sam's quirky
personality. "That's just the way he is," Tom offered. When I insisted and explained I was not
comfortable with Sam's innuendos, gestures, and improper conversations, I was then told these
behaviors were simply something I had to tolerate or, if I preferred, I could find another place to work.
I rationalized my decision to stay by noting some obvious facts: I wasn't a kid anymore. I was a man in
his mid-forties with health issues, helping to support an ailing parent, while also working to rebuild his
life. The last thing I needed was to find myself unemployed and possibly blacklisted by the incoming
Mayor of Portland.
The Problems Continued
Things were never normal while working for Sam. In fact, everyday brought its own set of unexpected
crises as staff worked to balance a very unpredictable boss. That being said, the unpredictability didn't
stop once the office closed for business.
There were, for example, several late-night occasions when I was called upon to retrieve Sam from a
bar, club or venue because he was unable to drive himself home or unwilling to leave the premises.
Since this behavior had by now become routine, I developed a standard protocol to help address and
resolve the situation, including utilizing the following steps:


Review the next day's calendar on the off-chance I would need to make a last minute adjustment or
cancellation.



Determine Sam's physical state. Sam often believed he could drive himself home regardless of how
many alcoholic beverages he'd consumed. This was always discouraged so every attempt was made
to take or hide the keys to the city-issued vehicle.



Identify any patrons in the establishment that Sam may have spoken with during the evening in
order to determine if any commitments or promises had been made, either personal or
professional, including determining whether Sam owed any patrons money for unpaid food or
beverages.



Settle the tab. Sam would often forget his wallet when out-and-about, so it was my job to pay the
tab and seek reimbursement at a later date.



Negotiate a departure time with Sam to allow him the opportunity to wrap-up his conversations.
For example, as a high-profile elected official there were often individuals and groups of people who
introduced themselves to Sam in hopes of sharing an opinion or arranging an additional meeting to
discuss a policy issue or neighborhood concern.



Discourage Sam from inviting others to join us on our ride to his residence.

This last item was always difficult to navigate.

Personal Statement: Cevero Gonzalez - Page 2

 On this particular evening, although again not unlike others, Sam had met someone he wanted to invite
home. Regrettably, the young man had no means of transportation so Sam recommended he ride as a
passenger in my vehicle. I refused, which I would not have normally done. However, I was concerned
about the optics of serving as chauffeur to an elected official and his new companion . Instead, I
suggested Sam say goodnight to his acquaintance so we could go about our business and avoid any
unnecessary complications.
Sam's reply? "Just because you're not getting laid doesn't mean I can't. You never let me have any fun!"
To which I could only reply: "It's not my job to let you have fun, especially if it means you miss or cancel
an event tomorrow." Then silence. Thankfully, Sam's acquaintance took note of the tension, smiled and
waved, and just walked away.
I looked at my phone. It was now 1:30 a.m. and both of us had a very long day ahead. I was grateful
that things had calmed down, if just for the moment, until Sam got a second wind.
"Let's go to Silverado!" he demanded - a local gay strip club. "I'll buy you a drink and a private dance
with a hot stripper. Maybe he can give you a bl*w job so you'll lighten up!" Had I just been harassed
and demeaned because I was trying to protect Sam from unwanted scrutiny? Nonetheless, I respectfully
declined the offer and again insisted that it was time to drive him home.
When we approached my vehicle I was surprised to see the acquaintance waiting nearby. Sam, ignoring
our previous conversation, proceeded to once again invite the young man to ride with us to his home.
In turn, I continued to refuse to make the accommodation. Sam then forced me to accept a
compromise; the acquaintance would take a taxi and follow us home.
No End in Sight
The situations described above are merely two examples of the types of working conditions I was forced
to endure while working for Sam. However, please be aware that there were always other tasks I was
required to complete, either at the direction of Sam himself or by his then-Chief of Staff, which included
but were not limited to the following:


Cleaning the mayor's house while on city payroll.



Paying Sam's personal obligations and waiting for him to reimburse me. This included paying his tab
at bars, restaurants and coffee shops around the city while often apologizing on behalf of Sam for
his forgetfulness. I was also required to reimburse staff for money they had directly loaned to Sam.



Using my personal credit card to secure lodging for the mayor when he traveled out-of-office on
city-related business, including purchasing food and alcohol.



Laundering, pressing and mending the mayor's clothes, including instances when he would come
into my office, take off his pants and ask that I make repairs to a seam or button while he waited,
often "accidentally" exposing his genitals.



Picking up prescriptions and dry cleaning while on city payroll.
Personal Statement: Cevero Gonzalez - Page 3

 

Assist in the destruction of compromising city records. During one of Sam's many trips abroad he
met and spent the night with an individual who, the following day, contacted Sam via work email to
thank him for a wonderful evening. The individual then implied he might disclose their encounter
and encouraged Sam to contact him again to discuss the issue further. Concerned that this
communication was a veiled threat, I contacted my then-supervisor, Jennifer Yocom, who was
serving as Deputy Chief of Staff, and asked her how best to proceed. To my disbelief, Jennifer
thought it best to simply delete the email. When I refused Jennifer asked me to turn away from the
computer monitor and keyboard so she herself could complete the required task.



Tracking the mayor's whereabouts. Sam would sometimes "go missing" after he completed his
participation in a public event or political gathering. Given his hectic schedule, and his reputation
for running late to meetings, I was asked to place a track on Sam's smartphone so I could better
access his location. For example, when Sam was late or did not attend a pre-scheduled event or
gathering, I was required to secure his location - using the Find My Phone app - then drive in my
personal vehicle to said location and physically walk the perimeter until he or his official city vehicle
could be located.

No Time for Apologies
On my final day working for Sam, I thought perhaps he would apologize for his inappropriate and
harassing behavior. After all, I'd just devoted the last four years, five months and ten days of my life to
his care and feeding; waking him up, getting him dressed, sobering him up, keeping his secrets, and even
paying his bills.
Unfortunately, Sam said nothing to me on that final day. He offered no apology, no explanation or
excuse for his behavior. Not surprisingly, I didn't even get a thank you for my years of service; although
Sam did relay to me via a fellow employee that I was required to work until 5:00 p.m. - while he was out
celebrating the completion of his mayoral tenure.
Trying to Avoid a Run-In
A few weeks after Sam left office I received a phone call and then several text messages from him asking
to meet. I never returned his call or answered his texts. I just wanted to put the entire experience of
working for him behind me. Several months followed and I still found myself actively trying to avoid
social situations where I might possibly run into Sam. Then it happened; our paths crossed at a party of
a mutual friend.
When I entered the home where the party was being held, I noticed Sam immediately. He was holding
court with a small group of partygoers; young men and women who remained enamored of the mayor's
policy initiatives and public facing selfless nature. It was odd and funny and a bit unsettling that even
after leaving office his cult of personality still remained quite strong. I tried to walk past but Sam
immediately noticed me and asked if we could speak. At that moment, in a room full of friends, I felt so
helpless and alone. He was no longer my boss and should have held no sway but I still feared him.
He'd been drinking, which I remembered was never a good sign, so I asked him quickly but politely what
he wanted to say.

Personal Statement: Cevero Gonzalez - Page 4

 "Why don't you want to be my friend?" He began. "Have I done something to offend you?"
I was stunned. It was as if all those years of abuse had never occurred; like he had never demanded to
know the intimate details of my sex life and sexual history. It was as if he had never repeatedly touched
or exposed himself - intentionally or otherwise.
I wanted desperately to tell him the truth, to tell him how he had shamed and demeaned me. I also
wanted to tell him of the financial hardship he had caused; how I had sometimes paid my bills late or
delayed my mother's stipend because I was expected to pay his travel-related expenses and his nights
out with friends.
But even then, even with all I wanted to say, I was still afraid of hurting his feelings.
You see, I'd been programmed over the years to protect Sam's ego at any cost, including if it meant
compromising my values in order to accommodate his need for superiority, acceptance or gratification.
If I said what was truly on my heart I would betray that unspoken contract. So, I said the only thing I
could that I hoped wouldn't upset him any further.
"Sam. I love you like a brother but you exhaust me. I just can't be your friend."
His response? "F*ck you! I was the f*cking Mayor of Portland! No one says 'no' to me!"
I wanted to cry right then and there because seeing him again, hearing him speak so horribly to me,
reminded me of all the other times I had felt helpless to defend myself. But instead of crying, I simply
turned and walked away. We've never spoken since.
The Pain and Memories Still Reverberate
Sam still texts, usually just a friendly birthday or holiday greeting. I don't know why; maybe he wants to
be forgiven and the only way he knows how is if he can make me his friend. Perhaps he's upset that I'm
one of a handful of former staff who don't idolize him or his legacy. Regardless, I still don't reply but
when I see his number pop up on my phone my heart stops for a moment and my face turns red. Why
am I still afraid of him?
For the past several years I've struggled to make peace with the sexual harassment and hostile work
environment I endured. That has included asking myself what I could or should have done differently.
After all, Sam and I are both gay men, roughly the same age and physical stature - although as my
mother used to jokingly say, I could still have taken him in a fight. We've both had difficult upbringings
and have both overcome incredible obstacles to achieve our goals. So, why did he believe it was okay to
treat me so poorly? And why didn't I fight back?
The truth is: Sam and I were not peers or equals. We were never friends. Sam was a man who held and
exerted power and influence as he saw fit and I simply worked to avoid his wrath. I accepted Sam's
behavior and the rationales provided by my supervisors because when I complained I was told to be
quiet. When I persisted I was told I could lose my job.
I will admit to taking the abuse but believe others have also experienced similar treatment.

Personal Statement: Cevero Gonzalez - Page 5

 What's Next
I would challenge the City of Portland to seek out other victims, internal or external to the City of
Portland, who've been approached, accosted or harassed by former Mayor Sam Adams. Quite frankly,
given that Sam began his tenure under DOJ investigation for a potential inappropriate sexual
relationship, I've always wondered why the City of Portland wasn't more aggressive in ensuring
appropriate sexual harassment training for elected officials and enhanced reporting opportunities for
City Hall staff. A code of silence encouraging complicity should never be allowed to stand.
I am Hopeful
I owe a great deal of thanks to the courageous women, and the growing number of men, who have
spoken out on the issue of sexual harassment and sexual assault. They've given voice to someone who
until recently could only grumble about his experience.
I remain fearful of the consequences of speaking out but I am also hopeful that I can finally begin to heal
from my years-long experience. This statement is the first step in that process.

Cevero Gonzalez

Personal Statement: Cevero Gonzalez - Page 6