Last week Friday, John Oliver Riccio, doing business as the Grants Pass Tribune, has filed a tort complaint against Josephine County, and Commissioner Chris Barnett, accusing him of new and ongoing unlawful interference with business operations, defamation, and First Amendment violations. This case has sparked serious ethical concerns regarding the misuse of public office for personal gain, and it threatens to expose the county to additional legal action. At the heart of the dispute is Riccio’s allegation that Barnett is driven by a personal vendetta against a local media outlet, further complicating the legal and ethical landscape for the county.
The claim, filed under Oregon Tort Claims Act and supported by multiple allegations of unethical conduct, outlines a series of actions allegedly taken by Barnett that resulted in both financial harm and reputational damage to the plaintiff’s business, Grants Pass Tribune. According to the complaint, Barnett, in his official and personal capacity, engaged in deceptive business practices and manipulated public opinion through the creation of fraudulent social media pages and the unauthorized use of the “Grants Pass Media” name.
Barnett created a fraudulent social media account under the name “Grants Pass Media” on January 24. (Barnett changed “Grants Pass Media” to “Grants Pass Media Events” after receiving a cease and desist on 2/10/25.) The plaintiff claims that Barnett’s actions were intended to confuse the public and mimic the branding of the plaintiff’s business. Additionally, Barnett is accused of copyright infringement for reproducing a published article without permission and using his political influence to block potential advertisers from working with the Grants Pass Tribune.
One of the most troubling allegations is that, despite receiving a second cease-and-desist letter from the plaintiff just days later, Barnett continued to operate and even doubled down by creating a competing media outlet called “Josephine County Tribune.” The name closely mirrors that of the Grants Pass Tribune, leading to confusion among the public. The complaint claims that this new outlet was developed using county resources, including staff and equipment, and launched immediately after Barnett was warned about his actions. Additionally, the plaintiff alleges that Barnett abused his position to interfere with business relationships, causing the loss of advertising revenue and ongoing damage to the plaintiff’s media business.
Beyond the accusations of business interference, the plaintiff also claims that Barnett’s actions violated his First Amendment rights. The suit alleges that Barnett blocked and deleted or hid public commentary that criticized his political views on official county social media platforms, which is seen as a violation of Oregon’s public records law. The plaintiff argues that Barnett’s behavior has stifled free speech and fair representation, using his position to promote his personal business while limiting the media’s ability to operate freely.
Furthermore, the complaint accuses Barnett of ethical violations, including conflicts of interest and abuse of office. The complaint highlights instances where Barnett allegedly used his access to confidential county information for personal profit, as well as his involvement with individuals accused of defamation. The plaintiff claims that Barnett’s association with these individuals, including those currently engaged in legal defamation battles, further exemplifies his malicious intent.
The plaintiff is seeking damages totaling $701,300, the statutory cap on liability for local public bodies under Oregon law. The complaint also requests corrective action, including the removal of all fraudulent media pages, a public apology from Barnett, and an official investigation into the ethical violations allegedly committed by the commissioner.
As this legal battle unfolds, the controversy surrounding Barnett’s actions raises serious concerns about the misuse of power and resources within the county government. The plaintiff’s accusations suggest that Barnett may have used his political position for personal gain, undermining the integrity of local media and threatening the ability of journalists to operate without interference.
Josephine County is now facing the possibility of further legal ramifications. If the county fails to take corrective action, the plaintiff has warned that a lawsuit will be filed against both the county and Commissioner Barnett. The situation remains fluid, and how the county addresses the issue could have lasting implications for both its governance and the local press. The case underscores the broader question of how public figures, particularly elected officials, can use their power to impact the media landscape, potentially setting a dangerous precedent for the future.
Barnett and the County have 15 days to comply.
