With a population of 17, Lakeside is a municipality without a mayor, police chief, fire chief, or town clerk after a family embezzlement scheme upended it.

In a special meeting Tuesday night, Lakeside Town Trustees voted unanimously to fire Police Chief Robert Gordanier after he was indicted for embezzling money in a car flipping scheme. Working with the town since 1967, Gordanier has also served as fire chief and former mayor before stepping down in April.

Gordanier, also an acting Town Trustee, was absent from the meeting.

Last week, a Jefferson and Gilpin County grand jury indicted Gordanier, and his daughter Brenda Renee Hamilton, on 10 counts including embezzlement of public property in a car flipping scam involving vehicles the police force bought from other police departments. Hamilton was the town’s city clerk.

According to a news release from the First Judicial District Attorney’s office, Hamilton and Gordanier face charges of embezzlement of public property, theft, first-degree official misconduct, and impersonating a police officer.

Jim Pelloni, who was the assistant chief for six months before he left in January 2023, he felt the police department had become dysfunctional.

“There were no checks and balances because Bob was the chief and mayor,” Pelloni said. “There was no oversight.” 

A veteran of Denver, Mountain View and Edgewater police departments, Pelloni was the whistleblower who said he saw what was happening with the car flip scam. When his complaints fell on deaf ears, he resigned over it.

According to a news release from the First Judicial District Attorney’s office, Hamilton and Gordanier face charges of embezzlement of public property, theft, first-degree official misconduct, and impersonating a police officer.

According to the indictment, signed Monday, July 22, Gordanier and Hamilton turned themselves in and were released on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond.

Town Trustees called a special session for Tuesday to hammer out what to do about Gordanier and his daughter, Brenda Hamilton, who was the Town Clerk and was also indicted in the embezzling scheme.

“It’s been a very difficult situation for the town,” Lakeside City Attorney Tim Flynn told The Denver Gazette comprehensive.

Hamilton’s first appearance is scheduled for Aug. 2 in Jefferson County Court. Gordanier’s next appearance, also in Jefferson County, is scheduled for Aug. 6.

What’s next for Lakeside

Most of Tuesday night’s special meeting at the Town of Lakeside Municipal Offices was held in executive session.

After the trustees met behind closed doors with Flynn, they emerged, took their vote and announced that Hamilton resigned her position as town clerk.

While Gordanier appointed an assistant police chief before he was indicted, Lakeside Town Trustees will start searching for a new department chief next week.

“From here the town is going to take steps to hire a new chief of police through a process that will be open and comprehensive,” said Flynn, who is a contractor with the town. 

“Hopefully, they’ll do a true selection process for the most qualified candidate,” Pelloni said. 

There are around 16 full-time and part-time Lakeside police officers who patrol the Lakeside Shopping Center, handle traffic infringements in the .2 square mile suburb, and watch over the Lakeside Amusement Park.