Colorado staffer Tina Peters summoned to court for allegedly lying – CBS Denver

DENVER (AP) – A Colorado County poll clerk under investigation by federal and state authorities over an alleged voting machine security breach has been ordered to appear in court to respond to allegations that she lied about recording a court hearing. A judge on Wednesday issued an order ordering Tina Peters, the clerk and clerk for western Colorado’s Mesa County, to appear in court March 31 to explain why she should not be despised and sanctioned.

(Photo Credit: Grand Junction Police)

She is accused of using her iPad to record a court hearing for an MP, Belinda Knisley, who was charged in the security breach inquest, but told the judge she did not. The judge had forbidden any recording of the proceedings.

“Fortunately, in the United States, a citizen is granted the right to a trial by his or her peers — not a judgment by a partisan political witch hunt. Case officer Peters looks forward to her justification on this matter – but will not be deterred from uncovering serious electoral vulnerabilities,” Karen Seibold, Peters’ campaign coordinator, said in a statement. It was issued in response to a request for comment on the contempt violation, as well as a lawsuit seeking to prevent Peters from overseeing this year’s election.

Peters is among local officials being investigated in a handful of states to determine if they directed or aided alleged security breaches at their own polling stations.

A Mesa County grand jury is investigating Peters in connection with allegations of voter tampering.

(Image credit: CBS)

Peters is also under investigation by the FBI and Colorado officials for the alleged security breach involving voting equipment in May.
She has previously denied any wrongdoing.

A judge barred Peters from monitoring last year’s election, and Foreign Minister Jena Griswold has filed a lawsuit to prevent Peters from voting in this year’s election. Peters, meanwhile, is seeking the Republican nomination to run against Griswold and become the state’s top election official.

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