The Portland Auditor’s Office is reevaluating the circumstances surrounding City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez’s use of taxpayer funds to edit his Wikipedia page.
Last month, the Auditor’s Office announced that despite “an exceedingly close call” it didn’t find enough evidence to suggest Gonzalez, who is running for mayor, violated Portland’s campaign finance laws by using taxpayer funds to try to clean up his public image during election season. Auditors noted they were waiting on additional information and records related to the expenditure and said the office has the right to withdraw its determination within 30 days.
The office now appears to be doing just that.
In a letter sent to Gonzalez’s campaign Wednesday, the Auditor’s Office said it “received new information” related to the initial complaint that sparked the investigation into the Wiki edits.
“Accordingly, the Auditor’s Office withdraws its prior determination and will take the matter under reconsideration,” Reed Broderson, chief deputy auditor, wrote in the notice.
City investigators examined the expenditure after the Portland Elections Office (housed in the Auditor’s Office) received complaints alleging Gonzalez’s use of city funds should be considered an unlawful campaign contribution.
The complaints rolled in after The Oregonian reported Gonzalez used $6,400 in taxpayer money to pay a firm that helped his staff omit unfavorable facts from his Wikipedia page.
Gonzalez has until Wednesday, Oct. 9 to submit any additional relevant evidence to auditors. A new determination from the Auditor’s Office is expected on or before Oct. 31.
