Watch VideoNews First Investigates D.A. drinking during work hours, later drinking and driving
Story By: James Jarman
Source: KOAA
In a hidden camera investigation, News First found 4th Judicial Attorney John Newsome drinking alcohol during work hours and driving an El Paso County vehicle after he'd been drinking.
The story is part of an investigation News First started more than a month ago, after receiving tips from inside and outside the District Attorney's office. Sources told us when and where we could find Newsome drinking. News First employees saw Newsome drinking beer during work hours four times.
Shortly after 4 o'clock one recent afternoon, he walked into a downtown Colorado Springs bar and at 4:15 ordered a 20-ounce beer. He was soon joined by his second in command, Assistant District Attorney Amy Mullaney.
Then, at 4:41, Newsome has another 20-ouncer. Then another at 5:23. He then quickly downed a small mug of beer at 5:44 p.m. Mullaney also had 4 beers during that time. Newsome then headed back to his office where at 6 p.m. the "Citizen's College" began. That group is made up of a few dozen citizens who regularly meet to learn about the judicial system. He usually speaks at the beginning of those meetings.
At 7:23 p.m. he drove out of the county parking garage in his county-owned vehicle. We followed him to another bar. There, at 7:49 he has a 16 ounce beer. Then another at 8:03 and another at 8:48. He quickly drinks one more at 9:15 p.m. Mullaney is with him and in that time she has two beers.
At 9:28, the two of them leave the bar. Newsome walks out and gets into his county vehicle. Mullaney leaves in her vehicle; Newsome drives away after her.
During that five-hour span Newsome had roughly 130-ounces of beer. That's nearly as much as a 12-pack. He then drove home in an El Paso County-owned vehicle.
News First employees watched him engage in similar behavior three other times.
We called at 11:30 a.m. today (5/6/08) and asked for an interview with District Attorney Newsome. We were put on hold and then told he couldn't be found. We knew he was in the building, because we were outside and saw him leave the building at about noon.
He then called us by cell phone and when we told him we had him on videotape drinking during work hours and later driving, he accused us of "stalking" him, and 3 times said, "I'll sue you."
News First Reporter James Jarman said to Newsome, "You're a public official, I mean we're just doing our job, following up on tips."
Newsome hung up.
Prior to us informing him of the videotape, we also asked Newsome for an interview to get his response to allegations regarding high turnover of attorneys in his office. Despite his campaign promise 4 years ago, in which he said he would reduce the turnover of attorneys leaving the D.A.'s office, sources tell us he has not accomplished that promise. Newsome has recently been quoted in another media outlet as blaming the high turnover on low pay. News First sources question that reason.
After the phone conversation, News First went to Newsome's office. Assistant D.A. Mullaney came out and we explained the situation to her.
"Ahh... I think that is offensive to start... I mean when we're talking about 4:15... so let me umm...," Mullaney said.
"Well there were other nights, other days as well, like I said there were 4 days," said News First investigative reporter James Jarman.
Mullaney eventually said she would talk, but not on camera - something News First will not do, after being threatened with a lawsuit.
