NEWSLETTERS
SUBSCRIBE

Print Edition

Log in
My Account
Log in
Subscribe
My Account
Log in

Colo. secretary of state ‘disappointed’ by Denver DA probe on campaign finance

By Mark Harden special to Colorado Politics 03/23/2018 | updated 7 years ago

DENVER – A Denver grand jury is looking into how Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams handles campaign-finance complaints, and Williams’ office on Friday called the probe “puzzling.”

Ken Lane, a spokesman for Denver District Attorney Beth McCann, confirmed to Colorado Politics on Friday that “there is an open investigation in the Denver grand jury relating to the Colorado secretary of state, and that it concerns campaign finance complaints and the collection of campaign finance penalties.”

Lane declined further comment.

Denver TV station KCNC-CBS4 reported late Thursday that the probe concerns a complaint filed by persistent campaign-integrity advocate Matt Arnold that Williams’ office has improperly intervened in several campaign finance cases that Arnold claims involved Williams’ “associates and political allies,” and that Williams’ staff failed to collect a $9,650 campaign finance judgment against a Colorado Springs political action committee levied by an administrative law judge.

Arnold has frequently filed campaign finance complaints over the years.

In a statement Friday, Williams said he was “disappointed” that the Denver investigation is continuing.

He said his office has a responsibility to intervene in cases “where the interests of the state, particularly in the proper interpretation and application of campaign finance laws, are an issue.” The statement adds that Williams’ office “has filed briefs supporting Arnold in two of his campaign finance cases.”

“In each case of intervention, our office has had a documented legal interest in the proceedings and the intervention is only permitted if either an administrative law judge or panel of appellate judges agree,” Williams said.

Williams added that his office has been cooperating with McCann for months, adding that she is now seeking some documents that his office already has provided.

Williams, a Republican, is seeking re-election in November. His wife, Holly, is running for El Paso County commissioner.

Secretary of State Wayne Williams, a Republican, joins lawmakers at the Capitol on April 21 to make the case for a bill that would reintroduce presidential primary elections to Colorado. (Photo by John Tomasic/The Colorado Statesman)
Mark Harden special to Colorado Politics

Reporter

PREV

PREVIOUS

Steamboat Today: Diane Moore a fearless advocate

For 34 years, Diane Moore has been a fearless advocate for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault through her work with Advocates Building Peaceful Communities – a nonprofit organization she helped launch in 1984. In our opinion, no one has done more for victims in our community than Moore. She worked tirelessly to provide […]

NEXT

NEXT UP

Hickenlooper lets nursing-degree bill become law without his signature

DENVER – A measure allowing Colorado’s community colleges to offer a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN)  is becoming law – but not because Colorado’s governor signed it. House Bill 1086 is aimed at helping to alleviate the state’s acute shortage of nurses at a time when the population is growing, as are demands on Colorado’s medical […]
Welcome Back.

Streak: 9 days i

Stories you've missed since your last login:

Stories you've saved for later:

Recommended stories based on your interests:

Edit my interests