A grand jury indicted a former judge and attorney,Robert Andrew Browning, 66, on seven counts of first degree criminal mistreatment.

According to Forest Grove police, the charges stem from elder abuse of Mr. Browning's mother-in-law. The Oregon Department of Justice investigated the case and is prosecuting it in state court. 

Browning practiced business and real estate law with Browning Law Offices LLC, a Forest Grove firm that is registered to him, according to police and state records. The Oregon State Bar shows Browning as an active member, who's had membership since 1979. Browning has no disciplinary sanctions, according to the bar. Herb said that Browning also served as Gaston's municipal court judge.

Amy Jeanine Moore, 40, a secretary at Browning's law firm, was also arrested Friday on charges of identity theft and fraudulent use of a credit card. Authorities learned of Moore's alleged criminal activity during their investigation of Browning, Herb said.

Moore's charges stem from her use of a credit card that belonged to a deceased client of the law firm, police said. Transactions using the credit card occurred in June and July 2010, police said, about a year after the client had died.