Tillamook County commissioners rebuke DA Aubrey Olson, strip stipend after probe
Tillamook County commissioners voted no confidence in DA Aubrey Olson and ended her county-paid stipend after an investigation into office complaints.
Tillamook County commissioners have taken an unusual public step against the county’s top prosecutor, voting no confidence in District Attorney Aubrey Olson and ending her county-funded supplemental stipend.
The county announced the action on June 18 after a June 17 board meeting. Officials said it followed an independent investigation into complaints filed with Human Resources by county employees and members of the public about the district attorney’s office.
What the county says it found
County materials say the investigation substantiated 35 complaints tied to professionalism, deficient prosecution of crimes, treatment of victims and their families, relationships with criminal justice partners, and interactions between county law enforcement and DA office staff. The county also said several complaints involved serious cases, including child sex abuse and domestic violence matters.
The county said Olson’s office had not yet outlined plans to address the concerns, and it also cited criminal subpoenas it said sought information unrelated to a criminal matter, plus concerns about retaliatory behavior toward a whistleblower.
Olson’s response
Olson’s office pushed back in a public statement, saying the investigation pointed to areas that need improvement, including trial preparation, planning, communication, and procedures to make sure deputy district attorneys consistently apply office policy. Olson also said she is working with her team to improve practices.
At the same time, Olson said the investigator’s findings lacked legal basis or authority and that some allegations were not founded.
Why it matters
The board did not remove Olson from office. But the move signals a sharp breakdown in confidence between county leaders and the district attorney’s office, which can affect prosecutions, victim services, courthouse coordination, and public trust in local government.
For residents, taxpayers, and voters, the next question is whether the county and the district attorney’s office can narrow the dispute and what operational changes, if any, follow.
Sources
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