Eugene, Ore. (AP) – Portland gay rights activist Terry Bean pleaded not guilty in Eugene to sodomy and sex abuse charges involving a 15-year-old boy.
His lawyer, Kristen Winemiller, previously said Bean is the victim of an extortion ring.
KGW reports she said Dec. 4 the group involves his ex-partner Kiah Lawson.
The 66-year-old Bean and 25-year-old Lawson were arrested last month and accused of sexually abusing the teen last year at a Eugene hotel. Lawson also has pleaded not guilty.
Bean is a Portland real estate developer who helped to found two national political groups, the Human Rights Campaign and the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund. He has been a major contributor for several Democratic presidential candidates.
