Where St. Helens stands in active lawsuits

St. Helens has been sued multiple times in recent years, and some lawsuits are still ongoing. The city is involved in active litigation over public records, issues with its former events contractor and claims of retaliation against its former police chief. Here’s where the city stands in open cases: Contempt of court in public records lawsuit The city has been ordered to pay more than $50,000 in fees after it was found to be in contempt of court for disobeying a judge’s orders to produce certain records in an ongoing lawsuit. Let’s rewind: In June 2025, Jennifer Myrick — a public defender who previously represented former St. Helens High School teacher Eric Stearns in a sexual abuse case — filed a lawsuit against the city. • The lawsuit is related to a records request Myrick made. In February 2025, she filed a request to the city stating, “I would like all records and information regarding myself.

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