PORTLAND, Ore. -- A prominent 66-year-old Portland man was arrested by sex crimes detectives on Nov. 19 in connection with a 2013 incident involving a juvenile male.
His attorney claims he is the victim of an extortion plot.
Terrence Patrick Bean was arrested at his home in Southwest Portland after a Lane County Grand Jury indictment. He was charged with two counts of third-degree sodomy, and with third-degree sex abuse.
He was booked on Nov. 19 and released.
Then on Nov. 20, a man described in a Willamette Week article as Bean's ex-boyfriend was also arrested.
Kiah Loy Lawson, 25, was taken to the Multnomah County Jail Thursday morning after turning himself in to police. He was also indicted by a Lane County grand jury.
Lawson was charged with two counts of third-degree sodomy and third-degree sex abuse.
Attorney Kristen Winemiller released a statement after Bean's arrest, saying her client is a highly respected community leader who was the target of an extortion ring over the course of several months, "led by several men known to law enforcement."
"This current arrest is connected to the ongoing investigation of that case, in which Mr. Bean has fully cooperated," the statement continues. "No allegations against Terry Bean should be taken at face value. We look forward to the opportunity to clear his name."
Bean is a well-known Portland real estate developer who helped found the Human Rights Campaign, a national organization that fights for gay rights, and has donated thousands to politicians.
He is also a serious player in Democratic politics and has personally met President Barack Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of State John Kerry.
A Willamette Week article from June 4 profiled Bean and Lawson. According to the report, Bean paid Lawson a weekly allowance and brought him to high-profile events, including one at the White House where he met Obama.
The article said Bean secretly filmed his sexual encounters with up to six individuals, including Lawson.
Lawson learned of this in January and asked Bean for money, the report said.
The Portland police sex crimes unit was leading the investigation, working with the Clackamas and Lane county district attorney's offices.
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KGW reporter Pat Dooris contributed to this report.
