Charges of sex abuse have been dismissed against Mark Molina, a former chair of the Springfield Utility Board who also ran for a seat on the Springfield City Council in 2022.

“Due to newly discovered evidence, this case should be dismissed in the interest of justice,” Deputy District Attorney Zori Cook wrote in a Monday, Aug. 31, court filing. Lane County Circuit Judge Jessica May ordered the case dismissed the same day.

Molina had pleaded not guilty in Lane County Circuit Court to three counts of first-degree sex abuse.

Springfield police arrested Molina in August 2025 after investigating a report about possible sexual abuse involving a child, Deputy Chief George Crolly said at the time.

Molina began serving on the Springfield Utility Board in 2021. He resigned in September 2024 before completing his four-year term. He ran unsuccessfully in 2022 to represent Ward 5 on the Springfield City Council.

“Mark Molina is an innocent man, and we are thrilled that the legal system has vindicated him today,” said Eileen Pepple, defense attorney with Public Defender Services of Lane County, in a statement.

“These false allegations caused immense damage, but Mr. Molina maintained his innocence from day one. He is relieved to put this nightmare behind him and looks forward to continuing his service as an upstanding member of our community,” Pepple said.