Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey’s office confirmed Monday it had launched a criminal investigation of Secretary of State Scott Gessler on the same afternoon the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission voted to begin an investigation into whether Gessler violated the law by using state funds to attend a partisan event.
The commission, on a 4-0 vote, decided that the complaint filed by liberal-leaning Colorado Ethics Watch against Gessler, a Republican who is the swing state’s chief elections administrator, was “not frivolous” and should be investigated by staff. The commission also decided to investigate a separate complaint by Colorado Ethics Watch that Gessler improperly took money from his office’s discretionary account.
In an e-mail statement to The Denver Post, Morrissey’s office spokesman Lynn Kimbrough confirmed that a criminal probe also had been launched.
“There is now a formal criminal investigation into the allegations,” Kimbrough said. Gessler was unavailable for comment, but his spokesman, Rich Coolidge, said, “We welcome a thorough review.”
Ethics Watch has asked Morrissey, a Democrat, to conduct a criminal investigation into whether Gessler misused state funds.
“Public funds are not for personal or political use,” said Luis Toro, director of Colorado Ethics Watch. “We expect the Ethics Commission to conduct a thorough investigation and make it clear that abuse of public funds will not be tolerated in Colorado.”
First off, he is not guilty. Has not been proven. No facts out yet. Second they assigned a democrat to do the investigation instead of a non partied individual so there can be a REAL and proper investigation. Imagine that.
This is not about "too late"... This is about investigating illegal behavior, regardless of where it leads...
So, because the investigation has just started, you want to declare he's "not guilty" because "no facts out yet"? I think you need to rethink how the criminal justice system works... You sound like the Red Queen in "Alice": "Sentence first, verdict afterward"...
We'll find out whether he's guilty or not when the investigation ends.
Democracy4Sale wrote: This is not about "too late"... This is about investigating illegal behavior, regardless of where it leads...
So, because the investigation has just started, you want to declare he's "not guilty" because "no facts out yet"? I think you need to rethink how the criminal justice system works... You sound like the Red Queen in "Alice": "Sentence first, verdict afterward"...
We'll find out whether he's guilty or not when the investigation ends.
Well the justice system I know, is simple, innocent until proven otherwise. So once the investigation is complete and fact published then and only then will we know wether or not he is guilty.
The Colorado Independent Ethics Commission (not to be confused with Colorado Ethics Watch which is a partisan outfit) are appointed officials of 2 Democrat, 1 Republican and 1 Independent to investigate ethics complaints against public officials. The Commission voted 4 - 0 that there was sufficient evidence to warrant an investigation into improprieties by Gessler. Further, the Denver District Attorney announced a separate probe into criminal activities by Gessler.
The Commission can only impose civil penalties against Gessler, but the DA can seek a trial with criminal penalties including jail time and fines.
The separate investigations involve Gessler taking public taxpayer money for his private use.
"Remember to always be yourself. Unless you can be batman. Then always be batman." Unknown
I think you need to rethink how the criminal justice system works... You sound like the Red Queen in "Alice": "Sentence first, verdict afterward"...
