Portland Commissioner Spent Taxpayer Funds to Alter Wikipedia Page

Portland City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez used over $6,000 in taxpayer money to hire a company to enhance his Wikipedia page, eliciting mixed reactions from residents.

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Portland Commissioner Spent Taxpayer Funds to Alter Wikipedia Page

Portland City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez recently caused a stir after spending over $6,000 in taxpayer funds to have his Wikipedia page favorably edited. According to a report by OregonLive, Gonzalez hired the New York City-based company WhiteHatWiki to oversee changes to his Wikipedia profile in March.

Gonzalez's office requested that WhiteHatWiki experts train a "designee" on how to submit future edit requests. The company describes itself as "the leading 'white hat' ethical provider for Wikipedia strategy and problem solving, including crisis management," on its website.

Portland Commissioner Spent Taxpayer Funds to Alter Wikipedia Page

WhiteHatWiki oversaw eight edit requests by Gonzalez, four of which were approved by Wikipedia. The approved edits included highlighting Gonzalez's law degree at the top of his profile and mentioning his efforts to pass a public drug use ban in Portland in 2023.

However, other proposed edits were denied. For example, Gonzalez requested that his father's "Mexican American" heritage be highlighted in the "Early life and career" section of his profile. The volunteer editor denied the request, stating that "his father's ethnicity is already mentioned in the personal life section."

Portland Commissioner Spent Taxpayer Funds to Alter Wikipedia Page

Gonzalez branded himself as a centrist and supporter of law and order during his campaign. He has been a member of the Portland City Commission since January 2023 and is one of the eight candidates running for mayor in November's election.

When questioned about the cost, Gonzalez's chief of staff defended the decision, stating that "political opponents working against change are sophisticated and look to distort events and their significance." He added that innovation was necessary to "move Portland forward" and that "educating our staff" was a worthwhile investment.

Portland Commissioner Spent Taxpayer Funds to Alter Wikipedia Page

Gonzalez, a self-described "lifelong Democrat," has faced vandalism and threats during his political journey. The windows of his campaign headquarters were smashed on several occasions ahead of the 2022 election, and self-described anarchists claimed responsibility for torching a car in front of his home in 2024.

Despite the controversy, Gonzalez did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

The spending spree comes amid growing dissatisfaction with Portland's progressive leadership. A poll released in May 2024 found that a whopping 70% of Portland area voters disapprove of their city council members and Mayor Ted Wheeler.

Wheeler, who was first elected in 2016, has faced criticism for handling the city's homelessness, violent crime, and racial justice protests. Under his watch, Portland has become a nationwide focal point for Antifa and nightly demonstrations.

The latest episode highlights the challenges facing Portland as it grapples with these issues and seeks to rebuild trust among its residents.