Former Portland City Council candidate Emilie Boyles, who disappeared from Portland in August still owing the city about $100,000 in public campaign funds, has been hired as a reporter at a Montana TV station.

KGW photo

Former city council candidate Emilie Boyles.

According to a manager at station KXGN in Montana, Boyles has been hired as a general assignment TV reporter. When asked if the station was aware of Boyles’ history, Andrew Sturlaugson, Radio Traffic Manager, told KGW: “We knew she (Boyles) was in debt for about $100,000 but did not know it was related to this.”

Boyles reappearance and new job were first reported in Jack Bog's Blog. Reached at the TV station Tuesday evening, Boyles declined comment to KGW except to say people could read her comments in her book, which she said would be released on her web site some time in November.

Boyles then added: “If the people of Portland want to be repaid, please don't call me at work, so I don't lose my job."

In the 2006 primary election, Boyles campaigned unsuccessfully for Portland City Council.

The City of Portland subsequently accused Boyles of accepting $150,000 in public campaign funds, then violating multiple spending rules. An Oregon judge upheld the city of Portland's order against Boyles for misspending taxpayer money in her campaign for city council.

Boyles did pay back $68,565 in June, but with interest she still owes $95,250, Portland city Auditor Gary Blackmer said Wednesday.

Blackmer said the city was aware Boyles moved to Montana. He said the city is trying to obtain a court order allowing it to garnish her wages and seize her property.

In August, Boyles was ordered to repay the balance owed or face possible legal consequences. Boyles never responded to the repayment order and her place of residence was unknown until now.

(The Associated Press contributed to this article.)