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Dispatches from public radio's correspondent at the Oregon Legislature. This is a venue for political and policy coverage of the state government in Salem and its impact on the people of Oregon.

Oregon Governor's Office Releases Cylvia Hayes Emails

Michael Clapp
/
OPB
The Oregon Governor's office has released 94,000 emails that were sent to and from former first lady Cylvia Hayes.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown's office has released 94,000 emails that were sent to and from former first lady Cylvia Hayes.

Two weeks before last November's election, someone sent Cylvia Hayes a simple email: a link to a Billy Joel song about someone going through hard times. At that time a series of critical news articles revealed information about Hayes’ past.

In another message, Hayes complained to a spokeswoman about being unfairly tried by the media.

Her fiance John Kitzhaber stepped down in February amid a criminal investigation into whether he and Hayes used the governor's office for personal gain.

Governor Brown's office says it's releasing the emails in light of the "unique and historic circumstances surrounding the documents."