Oregon governor’s wife says she is a mentally-ill alcoholic, days after nepotism scandal exploded over her being given official job and police detail while facing bullying accusations
The wife of Oregon governor Tina Kotek has claimed she’s a mentally-ill alcoholic amid a growing nepotism scandal that has seen the Democrat’s ethics questioned.
Aimee Kotek Wilson announced on Tuesday that she is in recovery from alcoholism but did not specify what kind of mental illness she lives with, as reported by Oregon Live.
‘I share this information about myself now, and have in the past, in the hopes it will make a difference and reduce stigma,’ Wilson said in a statement.
‘Far too often, individuals have remained silent about their experience because of shame, pain, and fear… And, that is why it is so important for me to do my part to reduce the stigma around addiction and mental health.’
Wilson’s comment come as news organizations have been questioning her new role in Kotek’s administration, which includes a security detail while she attends events on the governor’s behalf. The funds to pay for the extra security will come out of the existing governor’s budget.
The wife of Oregon governor Tina Kotek, Aimee Kotek Wilson, announced on Tuesday that she is in recovery from alcoholism
Wilson’s comment come as news organizations have been questioning her new role in Kotek’s administration, which includes a security detail funded by the state
The couple is seen with vice president Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff
Kotek has also hired an adviser to look into a possible ‘Office of the First Spouse’; the adviser, Meliah Masiba, will be paid $72,000 for six months of work.
The governor’s wife, who previously worked as a social worker, has reportedly been attending some weekly policy meetings on mental health and addiction initiatives. Wilson has also taken part in most of Kotek’s meetings with mental health and substance abuse providers regarding the topic.
Three of Kotek’s top aides, including her chief of staff, have left her office over tensions with Wilson
The Oregon Government Ethics Commission said on Monday it has received a complaint connected to Kotek and has opened a preliminary review of the complaint.
The commission will later vote on whether to open an investigation into the matter.
DailyMail.com has reached out to the governor’s office for comment on this story.
Questions regarding Kotek’s inclusion of Wilson in her administration come after former Gov. John Kitzhaber’s and his fiancée Cylvia Hayes were accused of ethical concerns.
The commission 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 consulting work for several organizations involved in similar policies.
Kitzhaber was forced to respond to reports that Hayes was paid $118,000 over two years for a fellowship with a green energy group — money that may not have been reported on her taxes.
Hayes eventually agreed to pay $44,000 for ethics violations.
