Gov. Tina Kotek鈥檚 behavioral health director is resigning, making her the sixth staffer to leave the administration in the past five months.
Juliana Wallace, who was hired last August to oversee the governor鈥檚 behavioral health initiatives, regularly met with Kotek鈥檚 spouse, Aimee Kotek Wilson.
In Wallace鈥檚 resignation letter, first reported by Willamette Week, she said it was a long journey for her to realize her 鈥渟kills and impact lies with the people.鈥�
鈥淚 am truly a sidewalk Social Worker and find my joy through creation, supporting, and dreaming a better system of care for everyone,鈥� Wallace wrote, saying she will return to working for Central City Concern as Senior Clinical Director of Behavioral Health.
left after raising concerns about Kotek Wilson鈥檚 expanded role in the office. There was perhaps no arena in the governor鈥檚 administration where the first lady was more deeply involved than behavioral health.
At one point, emails show that Kotek asked Wallace to contact Cascadia Behavioral Health on behalf of one of Kotek Wilson鈥檚 friends.
Shortly after the request, one of the governor鈥檚 special advisers and an attorney wrote to Wallace and told her the request by the first lady and the governor to call someone鈥檚 supervisor was
The governor has declined to offer insight into the matter but said it was an issue of workplace safety and she stands behind the decision.
in the governor鈥檚 administration since Kotek took office in 2023.
More recently, the head of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission said there was nothing in state ethics law that would prevent Kotek Wilson from serving as a volunteer in her wife鈥檚 office, as long as she doesn鈥檛 financially benefit from the position.
The could allow for Kotek Wilson to remain involved in the governor鈥檚 office. The to launch an investigation into Kotek.
The governor鈥檚 office has recently added five new members to their staff, including new advisors for natural resource, education, the Columbia Basin and public safety and a new press secretary.
Wallace ended her resignation letter, writing: 鈥淚t was great to meet you and the First Lady. Please pass my gratitude on to her for her passion towards people struggling with behavioral health issues.鈥� Her last day is September 13.
The governor鈥檚 office declined to comment, saying it was a personnel matter.
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