Aimee Kotek Wilson can work in unpaid capacity, ethics official says

Oregon law does not bar first lady Aimee Kotek Wilson from advising Gov. Tina Kotek or having publicly paid staff or office space to help her do so, as long as she is unpaid and conducts official and authorized state business.

PORTLAND, Ore. (PORTLAND TRIBUNE) -- Oregon law does not bar first lady Aimee Kotek Wilson from advising Gov. Tina Kotek or having publicly paid staff or office space to help her do so — as long as she is unpaid.

A letter from the executive director of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to Kotek’s chief of staff released on Tuesday, July 9, said that Kotek Wilson faces the same legal prohibitions as any other public official: A public position cannot be used for personal gain, and staff cannot help that person do otherwise.

The letter from Susan Myers to Chris Warner said this:

“So long as the First Partner conducts official and authorized state business consistent with (state ethics law), the First Partner's use of office space, materials, equipment, and/or staff is authorized under the government ethics laws.

“Whether the Governor's Office provision of office space, materials, equipment, and staff support to the First Partner comports with other laws, outside of (the law), is beyond ·the scope of the commission's authority and jurisdiction to determine.”

Read more at PortlandTribune.com.

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