Former state Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, a Longmont Democrat who resigned earlier this year during an ethics probe, is now facing a felony charge for allegedly attempting to influence a public servant.
The Denver District Attorney’s Office filed the charge on July 6, but did not issue a press release. The case was first reported by Colorado Politics.
What We Know:
-
Charge: Attempting to influence a public servant
-
Classification: Class 4 felony
-
Potential Penalty: Up to 6 years in prison and a $500,000 fine
-
Timeline: The alleged offense took place between Jan. 31 and Feb. 11, just days before her resignation on Feb. 18
-
Next Court Date: Arraignment scheduled for Aug. 7
Her attorney, Craig Lewis Truman, stated, “I’m sure when all the facts are known in this difficult and complex case that justice will be done.”
Background: Ethics Investigation and Resignation
Jaquez Lewis stepped down after the Senate Ethics Committee found she had submitted a fabricated letter of support during their investigation into her alleged mistreatment of legislative aides.
The letter, which appeared to come from a former aide, was written in the first person on personal letterhead and praised Jaquez Lewis as a “terrific boss.” However, the aide later told investigators she hadn’t written it and hadn’t communicated with Jaquez Lewis for nearly a year.
When confronted, Jaquez Lewis claimed the letter was based on past conversations and had been submitted by mistake. She asked for it to be removed from the public record but never clarified whether she authored it or others.
More Allegations Surface
The fabricated letter wasn’t the only issue. Jaquez Lewis had submitted multiple letters of support, allegedly from former aides. Investigators couldn’t verify the authenticity of any of them.
Additionally, several former staffers came forward over the past 18 months with stories of workplace mistreatment, including:
-
Being asked to do yard work and bartend at her home
-
Facing pressure to accept side jobs to secure promotions
-
Unpaid wages and rescinded job offers
-
Being blocked from networking within Democratic political circles
These reports came from six different individuals, including four legislative aides and a former campaign manager.
Fallout and Political Consequences
As allegations mounted, Senate Democratic leadership:
-
Stripped Jaquez Lewis of her committee assignments
-
Barred her from having state-paid aides
-
Removed her as chair of the Senate Local Government and Housing Committee
In January, the Political Workers Guild, a union representing political staffers, filed a formal ethics complaint on behalf of five former employees. Jaquez Lewis responded by accusing the union of using her as a scapegoat in their push for collective bargaining rights.
Campaign Finance Investigation Still Ongoing
Separately, the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office is investigating her campaign finances after a complaint alleged she:
-
Failed to report certain expenses
-
Used campaign funds for unauthorized purposes
The state said her attempts to “cure” the violations did not substantially comply with the law. The case could lead to formal charges and fines depending on the outcome of the investigation.
As legal proceedings move forward, Jaquez Lewis maintains her innocence. But with a felony charge now filed, the fallout from her time in office continues to unfold.
Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
Leave a Reply