Neil Goldschmidt, former Oregon governor who sexually abused teen, dead at 83

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Neil Goldschmidt, Oregon's former governor whose legacy in federal, statewide and local offices was later disgraced when it was revealed he repeatedly sexually abused a teen girl starting in the 1970s, has died. He was 83.

The Oregonian/OregonLive was the first to report his death from heart failure on Wednesday. His family confirmed his death to KOIN 6 News in a statement.

Goldschmidt served as Portland's mayor from 1973 to 1979 after serving as a city commissioner since 1970, during which time the city transformed. It was also during this time as mayor he began raping a 14-year-old girl, which he later confessed to publicly in 2004 in a letter in the Oregonian as Willamette Week prepared to publish its expose.

He then became U.S. Secretary of Transportation in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter's administration as a recess appointment until the end of Carter's presidency. He returned to the political arena in 1985 to launch his gubernatorial candidacy, succeeding Republican Gov. Vic Atiyeh after winning the governor's race in 1986, before leaving the office in 1991.

In a statement to KOIN 6 News, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden said: "Neil Goldschmidt's abuse of a young girl destroyed her life, a horrific act that should make any other discussion of his political career moot. The best response to this news would be to contribute to organizations dedicated to preventing sexual abuse such as the Oregon Association for the Treatment and Prevention for Sexual Abuse."

Goldschmidt's portrait continued to hang in Portland City Hall until 2019, when it was stolen from the walls and burned by an activist.

In a statement to KOIN 6 News, Goldschmidt's family said: "Neil was a force of personality and the patriarch of our large, blended family. Although he battled many health issues for years, he was actively engaged with family and friends in discussions about school, business, politics and wine until the day of his passing. We will deeply miss his presence in our lives and hope that those mourning his passing can remember the significant positive contributions he made to our community."

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.