Tina Peters

Year:

2024

State:

COLORADO

Case Type:

CRIMINAL CONVICTION

Fraud Type:

MISCELLANEOUS

Outcome:

Tina Peters, the former Mesa County Clerk, was charged by Mesa County with 9 felonies and 5 misdemeanors for her role in an election security breach in 2021. Peters worked with Belinda Knisley to allow unauthorized personnel access to the Mesa County election system, including providing an individual who was never hired by the county with an access badge to the secure election system. Peters and Knisley also had the security cameras overlooking the access machines turned off. In August 2021, images of the Mesa County election management systems and related passwords appeared on the internet. Knisley and Peters then refused to comply with subpoenas and directives from the Secretary of State when this was investigated. As a result, Peters was charged with multiple counts of attempt to influence a public servant; conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation; criminal impersonation; identity theft; official misconduct; violation of duty; and failure to comply with requirements of the Secretary of State. Following a jury trial, she was convicted of 4felonies and 3 misdemeanors and acquitted of the 3 remaining charges. She was sentenced to a total of 9 years (8 ½ in prison and six months in jail) and fined $14,992.50.

Source(s):

https://herit.ag/4cJhjzc, https://herit.ag/4cJBCN4, https://herit.ag/4itXZHy