In a three-page letter dated Nov. 10, AFSCME Local 3769, which represents roughly 60 agency employees, wrote that "the totality of these concerns cause us to question whether Director Wesley can continue to effectively lead this agency." The union is requesting an external investigation into whether Wesley's personal relationships with the contractors influenced the awarding of the contracts and the results of the deliverables, and whether Wesley and Kibs used "coercive and intimidating tactics" to protect those relationships and discourage union leadership from raising concerns.

The letter also asks an investigator to determine whether the two created "an ineffective and toxic work environment and a workplace culture of fear, intimidation, bullying, and retribution." Additionally, the union wants scrutiny of the "direct appointment of a former City of Greeley employee to a newly created position at the agency" and "any subsequent retaliation by Director Wesley against individuals who expressed concerns about the possible reputational harm of such an appointment." Portland City Administrator Raymond Lee previously served as city manager of Greeley, Colo.

The union said it had been "cautious" about coming forward because of the potential damage to the agency's reputation and members' fears of retaliation. "We are only taking this step now in response to the Mayor's statement and out of concern for both our members' well-being and the public interest," the letter states. "We also believe that there are additional concerns not outlined in this letter that Prosper Portland staff would like to share with the Board; however, many of our members and management fear that sharing these concerns would result in them either not being addressed or would result in retribution."

Those fears, according to the union, stem in part from a remark Wesley allegedly made after a prior external investigation. The union writes that Wesley addressed staff at an all-staff meeting and warned, "if you shoot at the king, you better not miss"—a statement some employees interpreted as a threat of retaliation for filing future complaints. The prior investigation likely refers to an October 2025 complaint by a Prosper employee who said Wesley made "inappropriate communications" to her during an out-of-state conference. After a local law firm reviewed the matter, Prosper board chair Gustavo Cruz said the findings did not indicate any board action was needed.

The union's demand follows its earlier request, first reported last week, that Wilson and the board hire a third-party investigator to examine the three contracts. A prior staff review of the contracts, which found Wesley acted in accordance with agency policy and procedure, was called "insufficient to restore either public or internal trust in this institution" by the union.

Mayor Wilson said last week he planned to honor the union's request for an outside investigator. Board chair Tavo Cruz said the board would not decide on an external investigator until hearing directly from the union. That condition has now been met, and the board faces what appears to be a crisis of confidence among union members in the agency's leadership.

A Prosper Portland spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did board chair Cruz or the mayor's office. This story will be updated if they respond.