MOLALLA, Ore. (KPTV) — Molalla City Councilor RaeLynn Botsford was arrested Tuesday on 24 felony charges tied to a theft investigation dating back to August 2024, city officials announced.
In a joint statement, Molalla City Manager Dan Huff and Police Chief Chris Long confirmed that Botsford was identified as the suspect in a theft case reported on August 21, 2024. To avoid a conflict of interest, the Canby Police Department took over the case.
Botsford was officially arrested by Canby PD and arraigned on multiple charges including aggravated identity theft, first-degree theft, and falsifying business records, according to court documents.
The investigation stems from financial discrepancies uncovered by the Molalla River Middle School Parent Action Committee (MRMS PAC). The committee reported suspicious financial activity after discovering inconsistencies in their records. In response, they alerted their school principal, the district superintendent, and law enforcement.
In a public statement, the MRMS PAC acknowledged the incident but assured the community that all funding requests during their board’s tenure had been fulfilled. They added that enhanced internal controls and cash handling policies have since been implemented to prevent future losses.
“As parents ourselves, we empathize with our supporters who are learning that the group was a victim of theft,” the PAC said. “We will not discuss specifics while court proceedings are underway.”
The City of Molalla Charter does not prevent elected officials from serving while under indictment, though removal provisions may apply if a conviction occurs. The city emphasized that Botsford had no direct role in managing city funds, which are handled by staff under multiple layers of oversight, confirmed by independent audits.
Botsford is scheduled to appear in court again on Thursday. The city stated that no further action will be taken until the legal process concludes.
