Ex-head of Vector Control agency arraigned on charges he took $200,000 in taxpayer money for personal use

OREGON CITY, Or. -- Joshua Dean Jacobson, former executive director of the Clackamas County Vector Control District, was arraigned Thursday, June 25 on a 17-count indictment alleging he used more than $200,000 of taxpayer money for his own benefit.

On June 10, a Clackamas County grand jury issued the indictment charging Jacobson with 12 counts of Aggravated Theft in the First Degree, four counts of Theft in the First Degree and one count of Laundering a Monetary Instrument – all felonies.

Jacobson, 38, worked for the district for approximately 10 years and served as its executive director for seven years. On Jan. 8, 2025, Clackamas County initiated an internal audit into Vector Control financial records, and the board of trustees alerted the Oregon City Police Department, which began a criminal investigation. The board of trustees terminated Jacobson’s employment on Jan. 31, 2025, after the internal audit substantiated allegations of misappropriation of district assets by Jacobson. 

The indictment alleges that between February 2022 and December 2024 Jacobson used at least $200,000 of district money to purchase items which he later sold and kept the proceeds or kept for personal use. The purchased items included industrial tools, truck winches, drones and several Apple laptop computers and iPads.

"Criminal misconduct by a public official undermines public trust in government. When my office receives a case alleging a public official violated the law by abusing their authority or misusing public money, be assured the case will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted as warranted,” said District Attorney John Wentworth. 

Jacobson was placed on conditional release and subject to GPS monitoring. His next court appearance is Aug. 10.

The Clackamas County Vector Control District is a special district with its own tax base. The district is responsible for control of flies and mosquitoes within Clackamas County and maintains its own buildings, ponds, vehicles, and equipment.

Clackamas County Circuit Court case 26CR31601