Bear Wilner-Nugent, Counselor and Attorney at Law LLC

621 SW Morrison Street, Suite 1250 Portland, Oregon 97205 503.351.BEAR F: 503.323.7356 bwnlaw@gmail.com

September 24, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE I am the lawyer and spokesperson for Michael Schwern. Please direct any questions in this matter to me. Late at night on September 19, 2013, members of the Portland Police Bureau came to Mr. Schwerns home and arrested him. Mr. Schwern cooperated with the arrest process. The police booked Mr. Schwern into the Multnomah County Detention Center on one count of misdemeanor strangulation and one count of misdemeanor harassment. Mr. Schwern posted bail and was released from custody on September 20. The Multnomah County District Attorneys Office reviewed the evidence in the case. Yesterday, the District Attorneys Office declined to charge Mr. Schwern with any crime. He does not face any future court proceedings. The case is closed. It is my hope that those who were quick to report Mr. Schwerns arrest and the charges on which the police booked him will be equally quick to report that he has been exonerated by the prosecutors investigation. All concerned should also take into account that Mr. Schwerns silence on the matter has been at my express direction. When someone is not permitted to defend themself in the court of public opinion, they are forced to rely on the presumption of innocence. That presumption only means something if, working together, we all make it so. * * *