OREGON SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE - Former state Elections Director Jim Williams

J im Williams, who resigned as state elections director three months before the November general election, is still living in the capital city and looking for another position in his field.

Since his resignation, Williams has been doing some consulting work for elections vendors, he said. His LinkedIn page lists his current position as election administration specialist/consultant.

Williams resigned abruptly while under investigation for allegations he made inappropriate comments to a subordinate, according to Department of Justice records. Secretary of State Jeanne Atkins chose not to fill the elections director position, opting to leave that decision to her successor in January. Secretary of State-elect Dennis Richardson announced Dec. 23 that Steve Trout, a former state elections director, will return to his old position under Richardson’s administration.

Williams was accused of making inappropriate comments and giving favorable treatment to a woman who worked as a temporary assistant in his office.

During her six-month stint at the agency, Williams gave her two raises, despite accusing her of frequent absences and falsifying timesheets, the DOJ investigation stated.

The allegations came shortly after Williams was investigated for making questionable remarks to another female employee, according to the investigation.

Williams was placed on paid administrative leave June 30. He would have faced termination if he had declined to resign July 19, according to text messages between Williams and his supervisor. The text messages were released to the Pamplin Media Group/EO Media Group as part of a public records request.

Gov. Kate Brown hired Williams in November 2013 while Brown was still serving as secretary of state. Williams came from the Cleveland Election Board in Norman, Oklahoma, where he served as a director between May 2011 and November 2013. He previously worked as operations manager in the Denver Elections Division in Colorado.

Williams and his wife of more than 15 years, Teresa, live in Northeast Salem.