Woman charged with filing false assault report

A Salem woman, who reported she was assaulted while delivering newspapers in Woodburn early Monday morning, was arrested Tuesday on charges of initiating a false report and misusing 911.

Bridgette Gage, 37, is accused of falsely reporting that she was sexually assaulted by four male suspects on the 200 block of Gatch Street around 3:10 a.m. Monday, according to a press release from the Woodburn Police Department.

Officials said Gage, an employee of the Statesman Journal, admitted to lying about the incident and said she had made similarly fabricated reports to other agencies in the past.

Evidence discovered during the investigation confirmed the incident did not occur, according to the release.

Gage was cited and released from the police department around 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Email aroemeling@statesmanjournal.com, call (503) 399 6884 or follow on Twitter @alisharoemeling