The Oregon State Bar filed a formal complaint last month alleging Wasco County District Attorney Eric Nisley made false statements to the bar. Nisley denied the allegation in a July 10 response and asked that the complaint, filed in the Oregon Supreme Court, be dismissed.

The Oregon State Bar has directed that a formal disciplinary proceeding be instituted against Wasco County District Attorney Eric Nisley, a “rare” step to take against an elected prosecutor, a spokeswoman said.