Portland's mayor admits having sex with 18-year-old

PORTLAND — A contrite Mayor Sam Adams apologized to Portland Tuesday for lying about a sexual relationship with a male teen he was mentoring, but asked the city to consider it an anomaly in two decades of public service.

"I screwed up. I blew it. There's no way to sugarcoat it," Adams said during a news conference at City Hall.

Adams, 45, coasted to victory in the 2008 election, making Portland the largest U.S. city to ever elect an openly gay mayor. He was sworn in Jan. 1.

Adams said doesn't plan to resign, but left open the possibility: "If it were no longer in the city's best interests that I stay, yes, I would resign."

Rumors of a relationship between Adams and the teen, Beau Breedlove, surfaced in 2007, when Adams was getting ready to run for mayor. The rumor was that Adams had sex with a 17-year-old.

The pair denied the rumor, but Adams, with the Willamette Week newspaper preparing to publish evidence of the relationship, admitted Monday that the two were together in 2005.

Breedlove turned 18 in June of that year, and Adams said the relationship did not begin until after the birthday.

"In fact, Beau encouraged me to be honest about the facts of our relationship," Adams said. "I am deeply sorry that I asked him to lie for me."

Commissioner Randy Leonard, who defended Adams when the rumor surfaced in 2007, has now called for an investigation. Leonard's chief of staff, Ty Kovatch, voiced concern about Adams' decision to ask Breedlove to lie.

Leonard said he believes Adams can continue as mayor — unless "further omissions and discrepancies" emerge.

Adams said he would cooperate in any investigation.

He stressed the issue is about a public official lying, not sexual orientation.

"I will be subject to greater scrutiny because of this, and that is appropriate," he said. "My reputation has been impacted. Friendships have been impacted, and that's appropriate as well."

Though Adams says the relationship with Breedlove was legal, he added that it was inappropriate because of the age gap. He said Breedlove, a legislative intern, wanted to meet with him to get advice about public service.

Adams said he wanted a chance to apologize to Breedlove's parents.

"I'm the one who should be held accountable," he said.

Adams said he lied because he didn't think people would believe that the relationship began after Breedlove's 18th birthday. He said there's a stereotype that gays seek out underage children.

The headline of this article, originally published January 21, 2009 at 12:01 a.m was corrected January 21, 2009 at 5:07 p.m. Portland Mayor Sam Adams admitted Monday to having a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old man. A previous headline incorrectly reported that Adams had sex with a 17-year-old.