In a post accompanying the letter, Lopez wrote that he had 'no resentment for whomever wrote this'.
'As an American born man who served in the USCG, fire and rescue services, I’m also proud of where my parents and grandparents were born and raised, Mexico,' Lopez added.
'I have lived a life full of obstacles and challenges Including racism. There is no room or tolerance of that.'
He had removed his social media profiles as of Wednesday.
Lopez has now made a written and verbal admission that the letter was fake, KOMO News reported.
Edmiston said that he was 'disgusted' to learn that Lopez was responsible for the letter and that his actions 'needlessly' added to racial tension across the country.
'The time spent on this fictitious claim means time lost on other matters, not to mention it needlessly adds to the incredible tension that exists in our nation today,' he said.
'As a lifelong resident of this diverse community, I’m disgusted someone would try to carelessly advance their personal ambitions at the risk of others.'
Lopez attempted to defend himself, telling the East Oregonian that he 'never meant to mislead' the public or even file a police report.
He claims he only wished to use the letter as a way to talk about racism in the county with the police.
'I never meant to file a report, it just kind of spiraled out,' he said.
Hermiston Police said they are referring the matter to the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office.
Initiation of a false report is a Class A misdemeanor in Oregon.
They are also sending information on possible election fraud amid claims Lopez presented false credentials during his run for county commissioner.
The department says that Lopez made potentially fraudulent statements about his background and education in the May 2020 voter’s guide when he was running in the primary for a seat on the Umatilla County Board of Commissioners.
Edmiston said police have learned Lopez may not have served in the U.S. Coast Guard as he has claimed. If a lie, it would be in violation of the 2013 Stolen Valor Act.
Lopez placed fourth in the May primary.
East Oregoni reports that he is a member of the city of Hermiston’s Hispanic Advisory Committee.
It also states that Lopez is an associate pastor at Hermiston’s Living Springs Apostolic Church and the chief executive officer of the Einstein Learning Center.
Oregon politician confesses to penning a racist letter to HIMSELF
Oregon politician Jonathan Lopez, 29, wrote a racist and homophobic letter to himself on June 23 and claimed it had been left anonymously in his mailbox, police revealed Monday.
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