Housing chief faces ethics inquiry

State investigators are looking into claims that Cyndy Cook, Executive Director of the Central Oregon Regional Housing Authority (CORHA), used vehicles and equipment for personal use, including family vacations and long-distance cell phone calls to relatives.

The Redmond-based organization coordinates affordable housing projects, including the planned Tamarack Village in Sisters.

The Oregon Government Standards and Practices Commission would only confirm that a case has been opened and is under preliminary investigation.

"I received a copy of the complaint and forwarded it to the (CORHA) board," Cook told The Nugget. "I'm sure this whole thing will be dismissed, I think it's without merit."

Cook declined to discuss specifics of the case, other than to note that the complaint was filed by a former employee and "these things happen."

"While it will be up to the Standards & Practices Commission to determine whether or not ethics violations have occurred, I would agree that Cyndy Cook avails herself to privileges not available to the general public, at a significant cost to CORHA and its programs," said a former CORHA employee -- not the person who filed the complaint.

Several former employees describe a "hostile" environment where workers who are dedicated to CORHA's mission feel they are unable to question or challenge Cook and her actions.

"Cyndy is real power-driven," one former employee said. "She kind of sets everything up so that it works to her advantage."

Another former employee acknowledged that Cook "has a lot of passion for what she is doing, a lot of commitment."

However, this employee described an atmosphere of constant crisis, with employees forced to focus on "the drama of the day." She also said that employees were afraid of Cook.

Cook expressed dismay at the characterization.

"I don't understand all this," she said. "We're a good organization and we have some long-term, dedicated staff."

Cook said no one ever filed a grievance or expressed concerns about the work environment.

"No one has ever addressed this directly to me," she said.

"Of course not," a third former employee said. "You'd be fired.

"Maybe she doesn't see what she's creating," this employee said. "But I don't know how."

Former employees say that they did not feel that they could confront Cook or go to the Board of Commissioners, which they perceive as completely backing Cook.

Cook believes the allegations against her will be found without merit and the organization will "get back to doing what we do."

That includes construction of a multi-unit affordable housing complex at the north end of Sisters.

CORHA had to negotiate a new financial partnership for the Tamarack Village project with Columbia Housing, Cook reported, but the project is moving forward.

Cook said she hopes to see ground-breaking around the first of the year.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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