Shamed Oregon governor axes plans for taxpayer funded role for her mentally ill, alcoholic wife
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has announced that she has decided not to create an Office of the First Spouse position for her mentally ill wife, Aimee Kotek Wilson.
After widespread public scrutiny, Wilson will no longer hold the office of first spouse, a formal office created by the governor specifically for her.
In a press conference On Wednesday, Kotek stated that her wife’s responsibilities will be limited to ceremonial performances and listening to groups of local residents.
Kotek said she is waiting for guidance from the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to more clearly define what her wife’s role might be.
Her comments follow more than five weeks of uncertainty and controversy surrounding her wife’s growing position.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek (pictured) has announced she has decided not to create an office of first husband for her mentally ill wife, amid public criticism
For now, Kotek (pictured right) stated that her wife Aimee Kotek Wilson’s (pictured left) responsibilities will be limited to ceremonial performances and listening to groups of local residents
Kotek (pictured left) said she is awaiting guidance from the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to more clearly define her wife’s (pictured right) long-term role
“I take responsibility for not being more thoughtful in my approach to exploring the role of the first spouse,” Kotek said in a statement.
“I’m sorry for the way this conversation between my office and you started.”
With the exception of staff members delegated to her for formal responsibilities, Kotek said Wilson will not have a chief of staff or directly supervise other employees.
Meliah Masiba, who Kotek hired on a temporary basis last month to explore the possibility of establishing the Office of the First Spouse, will remain in her position.
According to Masiba’s job description, she oversees Wilson’s programs, plans public engagement activities and represents Wilson at local, state and federal events, among other duties similar to a chief of staff.
Masiba, who earns $144,000 a year, was named the first lady’s chief of staff in paperwork announcing her move from the Department of Administrative Services to the governor’s office, according to emails obtained by the governor’s office last week received.
Yasmin Solorio, who has served as the first lady’s scheduler since last year, will take on a new position in the governor’s office, Kotek confirmed.
“Between now and when we learn more from (the ethics committee), the first lady will continue to accompany me and attend events representing the governor’s office, such as tribal visits and ceremonial events, and she will listen to Oregonians about the issues that matter most. them, especially in the areas of mental health and addiction,” Kotek said.
Wilson announced in March that she is recovering from alcoholism
Wilson’s comments come as news organizations question her new role in Kotek’s government, including a state-funded security detail (Photo: Kotek at Wednesday’s press conference)
The couple is seen with Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff
Wilson announced in March that she is recovering from alcoholism, but did not specify what type of mental illness she is living with, as reported by Oregon Live.
“I am sharing this information about myself now, and have done so in the past, in the hope that it will make a difference and reduce stigma,” Wilson said in a statement.
“Far too often, individuals remain silent about their experiences due to shame, pain and fear… And that’s why it’s so important to me to do my part to reduce the stigma around addiction and mental health.”
News organizations have questioned Kotek Wilson’s new role in her wife’s administration, which includes serving as a security detail while she attends events on behalf of the governor. The money for the extra security was originally going to come from the budget of the existing governor.
The governor’s wife, who previously worked as a social worker, has reportedly attended several weekly policy meetings on mental health and addiction initiatives.
Wilson has also participated in most of Kotek’s meetings with mental health and substance abuse providers on this topic.
In addition, three of Kotek’s top aides, including her chief of staff, have left her office due to tensions with Wilson.
The Oregon Government Ethics Commission announced in March that it had received a complaint related to Kotek and opened a preliminary investigation into the complaint.
The committee will later vote on whether to open an investigation into the matter.
DailyMail.com has contacted the governor’s office for comment on this story.
Questions about Kotek’s inclusion of Wilson into her administration come after former Gov. John Kitzhaber and his fiancée Cylvia Hayes were accused of ethics concerns.
The committee will later vote on whether to open an investigation into the matter
Hayes played an active role in Kitzhaber’s third term, attending meetings, communicating with state officials and helping him push for environmental and clean energy policies.
At the same time, she did consultancy work for several organizations involved in similar policies.
Kitzhaber was forced to respond to reports that Hayes had been paid $118,000 over two years for a fellowship at a green energy group — money that may have gone unreported on her taxes.
Hayes ultimately agreed to pay $44,000 for ethics violations.