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Openly gay Portland Mayor Sam Adams avoided criminal charges last month. The state attorney general announced that a six-month investigation had found "insufficient evidence" that he broke the law with his relationship with a former legislative intern.
 But the road ahead is not without obstacle for Adams, who still faces a possible recall vote.
 "I made mistakes in my personal life that led to this investigation," Adams said in a press release. "As a result, the city I love was put through an ordeal. I am gratified the investigation has been completed, and I want to reiterate that I am sorry."
 The criminal investigation was launched in January after Adams admitted that he had not been up front about the nature of his relationship with Beau Breedlove. He had initially denied rumors that he and Breedlove had been romantically involved. Adams then admitted they had dated, but only after Breedlove turned 18.
 Breedlove, now 21, had consistently corroborated the mayor's account of the relationship. He also claimed, however, that the two had kissed when he was 17.
 That claim runs contrary to a statement signed by Breedlove denying that any kissing had taken place. This and other inconsistencies were cited in the attorney general's report, which questioned Breedlove's reliability as a witness.
 "Over time, Breedlove has provided inconsistent statements about critical events," the report read. "These statements would be used at any trial to undercut [his] credibility."
 The report noted that there were no witnesses who could back up Breedlove's claim that he and Adams had kissed passionately several times in public, including at a train station and in a City Hall restroom.
 The report went on to note that Breedlove had destroyed his own credibility by seeking media attention by sending anonymous emails to local newspapers and by benefitting financially from the resulting publicity. Breedlove posed nude for a recent issue of Unzipped.
 Adams now faces an increasingly organized recall effort. In order for a recall to reach the ballot box, his critics will need to collect 50,000 signatures over the course of 90 days, beginning July 1. Over 500 volunteers have already signed up.
 "Sam Adams lacks the public trust and political capital to represent Portland," says Recall Sam Adams spokesperson Jasun Wurster. "I want our citizens to participate in the government that they believe in and show, on a national level, that positive campaigning works and that a campaign based not on fear, but based on ideas is something we can accomplish."
The gay community has not always rallied behind Adams. The Portland gay paper Just Out urged Adams to resign in January -- long before it was known if he had broken any laws. Oregon's gay group Basic Rights was at first noncommittal, and then supported Adams's decision to stay in office.

Author Profile:  Joseph Erbentraut

Joseph Erbentraut is a Wisconsin-born freelance writer and editor currently living in Chicago. His articles on politics, music and culture have been featured in the Village Voice and other publications. He also blogs at Chicagoist.