Multnomah County Sheriff Bernie Giusto must resign or fight allegations that he knew of former Oregon Governor Neil Goldschmidt's rape of a 14-year-old girl years ago and publicly lied about the fact, officials said Thursday.

KGW photo

Multnomah County Sheriff Bernie Giusto.

Giusto has been given the option of agreeing to have his Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training certification revoked or appeal the recommendation, said Jacqueline Weber with the Multnomah County Attorney's Office.

According to a letter from the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training to Giusto, investigators have information that Giusto may have lied to the public about Goldschmidt's crime.

More: Read the letter to Giusto (pdf)

Giusto denies lying and said he will appeal the allegations. In fact, he insisted he'll remain in office even if his license is revoked.

Goldschmidt’s rape of the girl became public in 2004. He admitted sexually abusing the girl, who was his children’s babysitter at the time -- in the 1970s.

Background: Goldschmidt admits having sex with 14-year-old babysitter

The admission came after Goldschmidt resigned from the Oregon Board of Higher Education and his chairmanship of the Oregon Electric Utility Company, blaming health problems.