Judge Ordered Preservation of Councilor Dan Ryan’s Phone
A Multnomah County judge mandated forensic imaging after the councilor retracted a claim about his device.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Cybersecurity
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Councilor Dan Ryan has been ordered by a Multnomah County judge to preserve data from his personal phone following a public records lawsuit filed by the Portland Mercury. The order follows a retracted statement from Ryan, who initially claimed his device was traded in before correcting the record to state he still possesses it.
Why it matters
The court action aims to ensure the integrity of evidence in a public records dispute where the councilor's phone settings automatically delete messages every 30 days. The litigation highlights ongoing concerns regarding government transparency and the retention of digital communications by elected officials.
The court-ordered forensic imaging protocol involves a device with a 30-day automatic text deletion setting. While the city will cover the costs for this imaging, the extent of data loss due to the 30-day window remains unknown.
The players
Dan Ryan
Dan Ryan is a member of the Portland City Council who is currently subject to a public records lawsuit.
Judith Matarazzo
Judith Matarazzo is a Multnomah County judge overseeing the public records litigation.
Portland Mercury
The Portland Mercury is a local publication that initiated the public records lawsuit against the councilor.
The details
Judge Judith Matarazzo granted the preliminary injunction on October 9, requiring Ryan to preserve all phone communications and data. Ryan must generate a new backup within one business day and complete forensic imaging of his devices within three weeks. The city is responsible for funding the forensic process, and Ryan faces potential contempt of court charges if the data is erased or the phone is factory-reset.
Timeline
September: The Portland Mercury filed a public records lawsuit.
October 1: A temporary restraining order was issued regarding the phone.
October 8: Ryan filed a declaration retracting his previous trade-in claim.
October 9: The judge issued the preliminary injunction.
February 12: A copy of the phone data was made.
Beyond the Bridges
This case tests the application of Oregon public records laws to the modern reality of auto-deleting messaging platforms used by elected officials. It follows a pattern of local litigation focused on ensuring transparency in the new city government structure.
Portlanders watching this case can observe the upcoming forensic imaging process due within three weeks to see how the city manages official device records. The resolution of this lawsuit may clarify the standards for how City Council members store and retain digital communications.
The takeaway
Transparency in local government often depends on the preservation of digital records that are easily erased by default settings. Residents should track the court's upcoming review of the forensic imaging results to understand the final outcome of the evidence preservation order.
What happens next
Dan Ryan is required to file a new declaration regarding the status of his phone by October 12, three days after the October 9 injunction.
Further reading
For more on the intersection of digital privacy and public records, visit Cybersecurity.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Portland Mercury.
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