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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Standing guard ... City gears up for hearings on future growth ... Medford School District on the hunt for teachers ... Standing guard ... City gears up for hearings on future growth ... Medford School District on the hunt for teachers ... Former Congressman Cooley reportedly dies Comment By Staff reports MailTribune.com By Staff reports Posted Feb. 5, 2015 at 7:25 PM Updated Feb 5, 2015 at 7:26 PM By Staff reports Posted Feb. 5, 2015 at 7:25 PM Updated Feb 5, 2015 at 7:26 PM » Social News Former Oregon Second District Congressman Wes Cooley, whose tenure in Congress was cut short when it was discovered he had lied about his military service, has reportedly died. Several media outlets have reported on his death, and current Second District Congressman Greg Walden has offered his condolences to the family, but the Associated Press says it has not been able to confirm the death. Cooley, 82, reportedly died at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. Cooley was elected in 1992 and served one term in Congress. But he dropped out of a reelection campaign following publication of a story in the Mail Tribune that showed his claims to have served in combat in Korea were false. In the 1994 Voters' Pamphlet, Cooley listed his military experience as "Special Forces, Korea," but military records obtained by the newspaper showed that he never saw combat or served in the special forces. The former rancher and longtime owner of a vitamin-repackaging company was eventually convicted of a felony in 1997 for making a false statement in an election document and was sentenced to probation. In 2009, he was indicted on money laundering and tax-evasion charges related to an investment scheme, and in 2012 was sentenced to one year in prison and ordered to pay $3.5 million in restitution. Walden, who has represented Oregon's Second District since 1999, offered his condolences Thursday. "Despite his various legal issues over the last 20 years,” Walden said in a statement, “I know he cared deeply about the rural West and the country." By Staff reports MailTribune.com By Staff reports Posted Feb. 5, 2015 at 7:25 PM Updated Feb 5, 2015 at 7:26 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501