Living in Washington County, Oregon, I, like all of you, have to pay Clean Water Services as our utility provider every month for stormwater management and sewer services. They hold a monopoly over these crucial services, which makes recent reports of lavish spending, potential fraud, and financial mismanagement all the more alarming and infuriating. According to an investigative report by The Oregonian in 2025, the credibility of Clean Water Services has been thoroughly compromised, eroding any trust we once had in its CEO and management.

We deserve transparency and accountability for the way our money is being utilized. The extravagant expenditures on travel, meals, functions, gifts, and outings—especially those involving the Clean Water Services Board and Washington County politicians—raise serious questions that demand answers. An outside audit is the only way to restore our trust and ensure proper governance.

The Washington County Commissioners have called for an audit, but one that Clean Water Services will manage.  Because some of those Commissioners have travelled, enjoyed meals, and received benefits of various outings or junkets, we have no faith in their ability to carry out their obligations as the CWS Board of Directors. 

Therefore, we call on Governor Tina Kotek or the Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayburn / other State Leaders to initiate an immediate and comprehensive investigation and audit of Clean Water Services' financial transactions to obtain full disclosure and documents/records for:

• All travel outside of Oregon by any staff, CWS guests, consultants, politicians, friends, or family of staff.
• All Meals, junkets, and staff events paid for by CWS through P-Cards, budget, or project expenses, or reimbursed to any manager or executive at the agency in any way.
• Any gifts, swag-bags, tickets or other forms of "goodies" paid for by CWS to anyone.
• Any and all hotel, Airbnb, resort, or any and all other hospitality and accommodations paid for/reimbursed/budgeted in any way for CWS staff, executives, politicians, board members, or anyone else.
• Financial contributions to any organizations of any kind.
• Political contributions, in-kind gifts, or support to anyone.

This investigation will be for 5 years, from the present day back.

This audit will scrutinize every questionable expenditure and transaction that is discovered.

We ask that ethical, legal, or statutory violations that are found be reported to the public and that appropriate legal actions be taken.

In addition, we call for the immediate resignation or outright firing of CEO Diane Taniguchi-Wallace, who has failed to lead CWS properly, provide transparency, and respond expediently to Public Information Requests. The Oregonian has found significant proof of her office abuse, including spending gross amounts of money on hotels, meals, trips, etc., and hiding the relationship and financial dealings of Clean Water Insurance Company. It has become preposterous that she is still allowed to retain her position.

We also demand an immediate and complete disclosure of all financials, salaries, expenditures, reimbursed travel, hotel, meals, and other costs of Clean Water Insurance Company, a Hawaii Corp. owned and run by Clean Water Services and the Washington County Commissioners in their roles as the Board of Directors of Clean Water Services.  The CEO has refused to release this data.  That needs to end immediately, and full disclosure will happen.

By supporting this petition, we can insist on transparency from a company that impacts our daily lives and the future of our community.  We can make the change and we can hold those in positions of power accountable.

Join us in demanding accountability from Clean Water Services, and help us ensure that our hard-earned dollars are spent responsibly. Please sign and share this petition to make your voice heard.

Thank you;

Dirk Knudsen

Hillsboro, Oregon