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In her final day in office, Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade’s Audits Division has referred the results of an investigation into Gov. Tina Kotek’s office to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.
In a letter to Kotek, Griffin-Valade’s deputy, Cheryl Myers, downplayed the heft of the auditors’ findings.
“We believe the potential violations are minor, and these instances were unintentional, in that the public officials involved may not have been aware of the technical requirements of state ethics law,” Myers wrote. “Furthermore, we recognize there may be valid business reasons for the transactions even if they potentially violate [ethics laws].”
Auditors examined expense accounts in the governor’s office after receiving “anonymous reports” to the office’s State Government Accountability Hotline in March 2024.
The timing may be coincidental, but that was the same month that an exodus of top Kotek staffers began, including her chief of staff, two other top advisers and, later, three other senior staffers. Emails and interviews showed that the cause of the turnover was conflict over the role of first lady Aimee Kotek Wilson, whom WW’s reporting showed often joined staff meetings, took part in personnel decisions, and met with outside stakeholders.
Related: Aimee Kotek Wilson Is Her Wife’s Closest Adviser and Highest Priority
Myers said that although the original complaints that came through the hotline were “unfounded,” auditors found items of concern as they looked through records.
“We identified some expenditures that appear to violate state policy and may have violated state ethics law in Oregon Revised Statute 244.040(1). A violation of ORS 244.040(1) (Prohibited Use of Official Position or Office) may occur when a public official obtains financial gain, or avoids financial detriment, because of their status as a public official,” Myers wrote.
The first finding: free parking.
“Our investigation identified two public officials who received parking paid by the Governor’s Office,” Myers wrote. “The state paid $65 per month for parking in Salem for one public official.” That official is identified in supporting documents as first lady Kotek Wilson. Myers also found “$315 per month for parking in Washington, D.C., for another public official,” who supporting documents identify as federal affairs director Annie McColaugh. “Both public officials appear to have avoided a financial expense required by law that would otherwise be the responsibility of the public official.”
The second finding: entertainment with no official purpose.
“In two separate instances, the records do not support the fact that Gov. Kotek or other public officials performed any official act during the events,” Myers wrote. “In two other instances, it is also unclear who attended the events that were paid by the governor’s office. These four instances of entertainment cost a total of $615.”
The third finding: a staff party with no official purpose.
“In August 2023, the governor hosted a catered buffet style BBQ dinner reception at Mahonia Hall to recognize the service of employees of the Governor’s Office, Department of Administrative Services, and Oregon State Police Dignitary Protection Unit,” Myers wrote. “Approximately 180 people attended, including both public officials and their families. The cost of the meal was $9,330 or approximately $52 per person. Although many public officials attended the event, it is unclear which public officials may have accepted the dinner. According to staff from the Governor’s Office, these receptions are long-standing traditions that span multiple administrations.”
Myers told Kotek that she will now turn over the auditors’ findings to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.
“As required by law, we will also notify OGEC of the potential violations of ORS 244 by providing OGEC’s Executive Director a copy of this letter,” Myers wrote.
Last year, in the wake of staff departures, the OGEC received complaints about Kotek’s office and the role of the first lady but dismissed those complaints without bothering to interview any of the staffers who had departed.
Kotek’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.