Watch VideoDistrict Attorney talks to reporters, but won't answer News First questions
Story By: James Jarman
Source: KOAA
4th Judicial District Attorney John Newsome is apologizing for his actions that were videotaped in a hidden camera News First Investigation, but is not meeting with News First.
The day after our first story was broadcast, District Attorney Newsome made public apologies through our partners at the Gazette newspaper and seemingly all other local media outlets, except News First.
After our calls requesting an interview with the District Attorney on the morning of May 5th went unreturned, we went down to his office try to get a response. No one came out to talk to us.
And while we were waiting, other reporters, including the Gazette's Dennis Huspeni, were interviewing Newsome, who apologized.
"He stopped attacking the (News First Investigates) report, and said that even if there's a perception out there that there was any wrongdoing, that he needs to apologize for that," said Huspeni on News First at 5 p.m.
For now, it appears News First will not get a chance to interview and question the District Attorney about our story, the comments he's made, and other concerns from our sources.
Recap
We watched and recorded District Attorney Newsome drinking beer on 4 afternoons. Informants inside and outside the D.A.'s office told us when and where we could find Newsome drinking during office hours and driving a county vehicle.
On Tuesday April 28th, three News First Investigates crews, in three different locations, watched and taped the District Attorney drinking roughly 130 ounces of beer in 5 hours. He then got into his El Paso County vehicle and drove away.
However, the District Attorney has not responded to our repeated requests for an interview. The last thing the District Attorney told News First investigative reporter James Jarman was that he would "sue" the station if we ran the story. That lawsuit threat from Newsome is on audio tape.
