COLORADO — President Donald Trump is calling for the release of a former Mesa County Clerk who was sentenced to nine years in prison.
Tina Peters was convicted by a jury in August of 2024, of three counts of attempting to influence a public servant, one count of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonations, first-degree official misconduct, violation of duty, and failing to comply with secretary of state.
Former Colorado County Clerk Senteced After Election Security Breach
On Monday, President Trump made various claims against Colorado's Attorney General Phil Weiser for allegedly ignoring violent crime while prosecuting Peters. You can read his comments below.
News5 has reached out to the attorney general's office and they sent us the following statement.
Tina Peters is in prison because of her own actions. A grand jury indicted her and a trial jury found her guilty of breaking Colorado’s criminal laws. No one is above the law. The Colorado Attorney General’s Office will continue to defend this criminal conviction in post-conviction proceedings and on appeal. We are firm in pursuing justice for the people of the state of Colorado, protecting free and fair elections, and standing up for the rule of law.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold released the following statement:
“Tina Peters is a criminal who compromised her own voting equipment to try to prove Trump’s Big Lie. Trump is weaponizing the Department of Justice. We cannot allow him to rewrite history or use his lies to create two tiers of justice for the American people.”
President Trump's comments came the same day that, according to our news partner, The Gazette, Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott T. Varholak informed Peters about an issue regarding her petition for release while she appeals her 2024 conviction.
While noting that Peters' petition was not currently acceptable as is Judge Varholak, did turn down a request from Colorado to discard a Justice Department statement of interest on the case, citing, whether he, as a magistrate judge who is neither nominated by the president nor confirmed by the U.S. Senate, even had the authority to strike the government's filing.
Peters has 30 days to respond to Varholak's order.
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