Sheila Snyder, a woman from whom Overton, 58, was attempting to collect child support, filed a sexual harassment complaint with Lincoln County alleging that he had asked her to come see him “not wearing my underwear.” Overton was indicted on four counts of first-degree official misconduct and two counts of attempted coercion.
He is also facing Bar action. In a letter to the Oregon State Bar, Overton explained that Snyder had previously appeared in court in a “rather revealing dress” in court. During a later conversation , Overton wrote “I said something about her wearing the dress and then I made the comment that if she did maybe I would get lucky and she would forget to wear underwear.”
He insisted that it was meant as a joke. However, later admitted that “I was just plain vulgar there is no excuse for my comments.”
He was suspended after the woman filed a complaint and Overton went directly home and tried to commit suicide by swallowing over 50 Xanax pills. He was later found by police and taken to the hospital.
I was struck at first by what seemed a disproportionate sentencing for an inappropriate statement. However, after the allegations, two more women came forward with allegations of their own. He then admitted to more than an inappropriate statement. As part of a plea agreement, Overton admitted using his position to obtain sexual favors. Two of the women were seeking child support and a third was a victim of domestic violence.
Source: Oregon Live