The family of Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) is at the center of a harrowing legal battle following a lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court. The suit accuses the senator's children of subjecting Brandon O’Brien, a personal assistant to Wyden's wife Nancy Bass Wyden, to vicious harassment, including homophobic slurs and threatening behavior, culminating in O’Brien's tragic suicide.
Brandon O’Brien, 35, was employed from June 2022 to September 2024 by Nancy Bass Wyden, who owns the renowned Strand Bookstore in Manhattan. His role involved various responsibilities, such as transporting and supervising the Wydens' children, and accompanying the family on various trips. According to the lawsuit, filed by O’Brien’s partner, Thomas Maltezos, the harassment began shortly after he took the position.
One reported incident involved the couple's 10-year-old daughter exposing herself to O’Brien and making sexually suggestive comments. The Wydens' teenage son is also alleged to have verbally attacked O’Brien, using slurs and making threats. In a disturbing turn of events, an attempt by Bass Wyden to use mace on her son during a confrontation inadvertently resulted in O’Brien being sprayed instead. Witnesses, including O'Brien's partner and his mother, have reportedly observed these incidents, lending weight to the allegations.
The lawsuit paints a starkly different picture from Senator Wyden's public persona. A prominent champion of LGBT rights, Wyden has a long history of legislative support for the community, including an early endorsement of same-sex marriages in 1995. He has been a vocal critic of conservative policies and has frequently clashed with political opponents on a range of issues.
Despite the senator's advocacy, the lawsuit alleges a darker reality within the family's private life. Following O’Brien's resignation, Bass Wyden accused him of stealing over $650,000, an accusation that led to a police investigation. However, the investigation was closed after O’Brien's death by suicide in May. Maltezos and his legal team assert that the theft accusations were a ploy to discredit O’Brien.
The legal representatives for Bass Wyden have sought to dismiss the lawsuit, describing it as "baseless and deeply misguided." They argue that O'Brien had a "pattern of theft," which they imply justifies the family's actions.
The case raises critical questions about the accountability of public figures and their families, the treatment of employees, and the devastating impact of harassment. It also poses significant political challenges for Senator Wyden, who has been seen as a steadfast advocate for liberal causes. The unfolding legal drama is sure to draw public and media scrutiny as the lawsuit proceeds.
