A complaint against St. Helens Mayor Jennifer Massey is heading to the Oregon Department of Justice.

Mayor Massey is accused of blocking Interim Police Chief Joseph Hogue from being appointed to the permanent chief role. She is also accused of colluding with former Police Chief Brian Greenway to eliminate 24-hour police coverage in an effort to benefit her mayoral campaign.

The case was initially handled by the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office. However, Sheriff Brian Pixley stated that the case is being referred to the Oregon Department of Justice to ensure an unbiased evaluation.

In September 2024, while Massey was running for office, she made a comment during a City Council meeting, saying, “We know it’s coming; we know that 24-hour coverage is going away. Why are we not communicating with the citizens?” According to a KOIN 6 News report, this statement came as a complete surprise to then-Mayor Rick Scholl.

On October 1, the St. Helens Police Department suspended 24-hour coverage, as Massey had predicted.

Then, on October 7, Hogue was named acting police chief after Greenway was placed on administrative leave. 24-hour police coverage was restored shortly afterward.