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Portland Aide Faces Scrutiny for Dual City Roles

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, February 6th 2026 at 17:27 GMT by Oregonian
      Locales: Oregon, UNITED STATES

Portland, OR - February 6th, 2026 - A senior policy advisor to Portland Mayor Damien DeVoe is facing intense scrutiny following revelations that he simultaneously held a second, near-full-time position within the city government, effectively drawing a combined salary and benefits package equivalent to two full-time employees. Elias Thorne, a key aide to the Mayor, also served as a project manager for the Portland Water Bureau, a situation only brought to light through records released yesterday.

The disclosure has ignited a firestorm of controversy, prompting calls for a thorough investigation into potential conflicts of interest, misuse of public funds, and breaches of ethical conduct. The situation underscores a growing national trend of concerns surrounding 'double-dipping' - individuals holding multiple public sector positions simultaneously - and the lack of clear regulations surrounding such practices.

According to publicly available salary data, Thorne's combined earnings from both positions neared the upper limits typically allocated to full-time city employees. While the exact figures haven't been officially released pending the ongoing investigation, sources estimate the total compensation package to be well over $180,000 annually, including benefits. This raises questions about the efficiency of resource allocation within the city government and whether taxpayers are receiving adequate value for their investment.

Councilmember Jo-Ann Hardesty was quick to express her dismay. "Portland residents deserve to know that their tax dollars are being spent responsibly and that those in positions of power are held to the highest ethical standards," she stated. "This situation demands a complete and transparent accounting of Thorne's duties and responsibilities in both roles, and a determination of whether any city policies were violated."

Mayor DeVoe's office has acknowledged the matter and announced an internal investigation, promising full cooperation. A spokesperson for the Mayor stated, "The Mayor is committed to transparency and accountability. We are taking this matter seriously and will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of the facts." The investigation's scope will reportedly include a review of Thorne's time records, project deliverables, and communications to determine the extent of his involvement in both positions.

The Portland Water Bureau, while confirming Thorne's contributions to a specific project, has remained largely silent on the broader implications of the dual employment. Officials stated that Thorne's work was "valuable," but declined to offer further comment, citing the ongoing investigation. This lack of transparency from the bureau is fueling speculation and exacerbating public concern.

City policy does permit employees to hold outside jobs, but with a crucial caveat: complete disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest. The investigation will focus on whether Thorne adhered to this requirement. Specifically, investigators will explore whether Thorne informed city officials about his dual employment, and if so, whether he provided a satisfactory explanation of how he managed to fulfill the obligations of both roles without compromising his performance or creating a conflict of interest. Experts in governmental ethics suggest that even the appearance of a conflict can erode public trust.

This incident arrives amidst heightened public awareness of government accountability and a demand for greater transparency in public spending. Several other cities across the nation have recently faced similar scrutiny regarding dual employment arrangements, leading to calls for stricter regulations and enhanced oversight. Some advocacy groups are proposing legislation that would require all public employees to disclose any secondary sources of income and prohibit them from holding multiple positions that could create a conflict of interest.

"This isn't just about one individual," says Dr. Eleanor Vance, a professor of public administration at Portland State University. "It's about systemic issues within city governance. We need to examine whether our current policies are adequate to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future. We need clear, enforceable rules that prioritize the public interest and ensure that our public servants are acting ethically and responsibly."

The investigation is expected to conclude within the next few weeks. The findings will likely be presented to the City Council, which will then decide whether further action is warranted, including potential disciplinary measures for Thorne or changes to city policies. This is a developing story, and we will continue to provide updates as they become available.