TILLAMOOK BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ADOPTS VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN DISTRICT ATTORNEY, REMOVES SUPPLEMENTAL COMPENSATION

At its June 17 meeting, the Tillamook County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt a resolution of no confidence in District Attorney (DA) Aubrey Olson. The board also approved to remove her supplemental compensation, which is an optional, county-provided, stipend that is dependent on job performance. 

These actions reflect the board’s continued dissatisfaction with DA Olson after the county’s investigation into complaints filed with its Human Resources department by members of the public and county employees regarding the DA’s office. 

The investigation substantiated 35 complaints related to professionalism; deficient prosecution of crimes; treatment of victims, their families and criminal justice partners; and concerns about interactions between county law enforcement and employees in the DA’s office. In total, 7 people submitted complaints, and several were related to the handling of serious crimes, including child sex abuse and domestic violence cases. 

Since the findings were shared with DA Olson and the public, the county has not received further 
communication from the DA’s office outlining plans to address these concerns. In addition, DA 
Olson has served the county with criminal subpoenas demanding information that is unrelated to 
a criminal matter, to include who has complained about the DA’s office and how the county paid 
for its investigation.

The county also was notified of retaliatory behavior in the DA’s office towards a legally protected 
whistleblower who provided information to the investigator. The Human Resources department 
has issued a formal notice to the DA reaffirming whistleblower protections and directing that no 
retaliatory or adverse actions be taken towards the whistleblower. 

Based on the investigation findings, improper use of criminal subpoenas, and retaliatory behavior, 
the board voted to express no confidence in DA Olson and determined her job performance did 
not justify the additional compensation. While a district attorney’s base salary is paid by the state 
of Oregon, a county supplemental stipend is meant to increase their overall compensation to a 
level that is commensurate with the character of service performed. (ORS 8.830) District attorneys are elected state officials accountable only to county voters and not subject to county oversight. Nonetheless, the Board of Commissioners remains committed to accountability, transparency, and effective criminal justice for all Tillamook County residents.