Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter announced Tuesday that Teresa Luna will resign as the director of the Department of Administration at the end of the legislative session.
Luna couldn’t be reached for comment.
Otter said he will appoint an interim director for the department after the legislature adjourns.
“I admire Teresa’s tenacity and commitment to doing the right thing,” Otter said in a statement. “I am proud to call her a friend.”
Jon Hanian, Otter’s spokesman, said he couldn’t comment as to whether Luna offered her resignation or had been asked to resign.
On Tuesday, Idaho Reports had asked the governor’s office why Otter hadn’t yet submitted an appointment letter for Luna or Idaho State Police director Col. Ralph Powell. Otter’s statement came hours after the inquiry; Hanian said he had no word on what might happen with Powell’s appointment.
Powell and Luna have both seen their share of controversy. Powell was criticized for declining to investigate contract issues with Corrections Corporation of America in 2013.
Luna found herself in the middle of the Idaho Education Network strife after a 2014 budget presentation in which she revealed the federal government had stopped paying e-rate dollars to the state for IEN months before. In 2013, Luna also extended the IEN contract through 2019 without notifying the Idaho Legislature.
It’s unclear if that’s why the governor’s office didn’t submit the appointment letters for Powell and Luna. Powell couldn’t be reached for comment.
Luna was appointed director of the Department of Administration in March 2011.
Idaho Reports will continue following this story. Check back for updates.
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