Man in campaign finance scam appeals to council

Vladimir Golovan, convicted of 10 felonies for his role in Portland's 2006 campaign finance scandal, came to City Hall on Wednesday asking the government he tried to defraud for help in clearing his name.

In cryptic terms, Golovan told City Council members that they should investigate new evidence he's uncovered about the 2006 election and the investigation into campaign finance wrongdoing.

He didn't say what that evidence was, but offered to share it with the mayor and city commissioners if they would meet with him.

"I've got nothing to be afraid of," said Golovan, who spent almost two months in jail. "I would be happy to open and explain everything, especially because the newly discovered evidence suggests there might be a special interest group that has a plan to kill voter owned elections. Meeting with me will help you make the right decision."

Portland's public campaign financing law gives City Council candidates who collect $5 contributions from 1,000 Portlanders all the money they need to mount a campaign. The idea is to lessen the influence of big political donors and encourage women, minorities and other newcomers to run for office.

Golovan, a Ukrainian immigrant, helped three candidates hoping to qualify for public financing by collecting signatures in Russian and Ukrainian churches and neighborhoods in east Portland. One of his candidates, Emilie Boyles, collected $145,000 from the city largely through Golovan's help. Another, Lucinda Tate, turned in 1,000 signatures but was disqualified on a technicality.

An investigation by The Oregonian during the campaign found that many people from whom Golovan claimed to have received contributions never actually donated. In an ensuing inquiry, police discovered that Golovan hadn't collected any money for Boyles or signatures and money for Tate.

Last summer, a Multnomah County jury convicted Golovan of forging signatures and identity theft in his attempt to help Tate win public money.

Golovan said he's innocent and blames another candidate, Bruce Broussard, with leading him astray. He's filed several letters of protest since his conviction, including complaints against his lawyers and the state attorney who prosecuted him.

He filed paperwork with the city this week asking the Independent Police Review Division to investigate whether two Portland Police Bureau investigators discriminated against him because he is a Ukrainian immigrant....