Two Colorado elected officials convicted of felonies for attempting to influence public servants received drastically different punishments. Former state Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis got probation. Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters got nine years in prison.
Jaquez Lewis, a Boulder County Democrat, was sentenced February 27 to two years probation. A Denver jury convicted her of one count of attempting to influence a public servant and three counts of forgery. She wrote fake letters pretending to be from former aides and submitted them to the Senate Ethics Committee investigating her treatment of staff. Judge Anita Schutte ordered 150 hours of community service. The judge imposed a $3,000 fine.
Peters, a Republican, was sentenced October 3, 2024 to nine years in prison. A jury convicted her of three counts of attempting to influence a public servant. She also faced convictions for conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, official misconduct, violation of duty, and failure to comply with the Secretary of State. Judge Matthew Barrett sent her directly to prison.
Attempting to influence a public servant is a Class 4 felony. It carries a maximum sentence of six years in prison per count. Peters was convicted of three counts of this charge. Jaquez Lewis was convicted of one count.
Jaquez Lewis held the higher elected office. State senators rank above county clerks in Colorado’s governmental hierarchy. State senators apparently have privilege over county clerks when it comes to sentences.
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