Oregon ranchers pardoned by Trump arrive in Burns via private jet

[mahatmakanejeeves]

6. Unlikely alliance set Oregon ranchers' pardons in motion

Unlikely alliance set Oregon ranchers' pardons in motion

Updated 10:24 AM; Posted Jul 10, 9:15 PM

By Jeff [e-mail]
The Oregonian/OregonLive

When Dwight and Steven Hammond left federal prison Tuesday, it was in large part thanks to a Portland attorney who was politically and culturally their opposite.

Larry Matasar, 68, is a political progressive who volunteered on Barack Obama's 2008 campaign. He's a self-described child of the '60s and rock aficionado who has attended more than 100 Bruce Springsteen shows. He's an urban creature from Chicago's South Side.

"It's a long, long way from Burns," he said in reference to the Eastern Oregon town nearest the Hammonds' remote 12,000-acre ranch.

Yet Matasar has represented the family for 25 years and connected with them personally. It was Matasar who represented the father and son in the controversial arson case that made them unwitting heroes in the anti-government land rights movement.
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-- Jeff Manning